What Is Body Image In Pop Culture

Philip anderson Fri, Jan 7, 2011

Mr. Tyson

Body Image and Pop Culture

Body Image, in the Merriam- Dictionary it states that it is “a subjective picture of one's own physical appearance established both by self-observation and by noting the reactions of others”. Millions of people all around the world have an obsession, rather a secret obsession. That obsession is about how they look, or in other words their body image. Many People wouldn’t mind having a flatter stomach and a smaller waist size. Also, they worry that their thighs are too chubby, their arms are not built enough, or their breasts are too small. Most importantly people care about how they look. These insecurities are the idea of the media and
You may ask, what is the perfect male body? If you watch TV or read a magazine, it's clear what is considered an ideal body image for a man. No doubt, Low body fat and lots of muscle make you look cut, ripped or buff. Those are just some of the ideas that are portrayed as attractive. This perfect physique is often described as the “X” shape. The top of the X represents broad shoulders, the “V” in the top half of the X represents a wide upper back, narrowing into a small waist with small hips; and the bottom half of the X represents long legs with large quads, full calves and upper thigh muscles that seem to connect directly into the waist. This is what the media classifies as the ideal male. With having a body described the media wants men to believe that they will get more women and be simply liked more. One student from Ascension Of Our Lord S.S; Lakiesha Todd stated that “she likes muscular guys just because of the way they look and there appearance”. Another student Kassidy Machado stated that “ she like muscular guys because they look more mature”. Furthermore, famous actor, Isaiah Mustafa is a good example of what the ideal body image is, and how the media uses him to portray it. In the Old Spice ads he asks, “ Does your man look like me? No. Can he smell like me? Yes. This commercial connects with deep insecurities with
For many drastic measures are taken such as getting plastic surgery done, taking laxatives and becoming anorexic. People do these activities just so that they can become really skinny just like a model or to have a big bust like many female superstars. Most of these activities have really bad effects, some which lead to death. Also, for men who are influenced by the media do whatever they can to achieve the perfect body. It’s indeed fact that its good to exercise, lift weights and eat foods that make your body function properly. But it is not good to be preoccupied with working out to gain muscle mass. People who are preoccupied are not working out to get healthier, they are working out to get really muscular, just like men in the media. Unlike women, guys are more likely to take steroids and growth hormones that make you look big and muscular. These can cause serious health risks such as liver cancer, severe acne and high blood pressure. At the end of it all, people should not use drastic measures to achieve there thought of a perfect body. Rather they should do everything in moderation, to become fit and