Body+Image

Body image is how someone feels about his or her own physical appearance. Over the years the ideal body image has changed. When we think of an attractive woman most people will think of the perfect woman. If they were to describe a pretty woman they would most likely say an oval face, medium sized, pointy (not too pointy) nose, medium to big eyes, full lips, wavy long hair. Sounds pretty perfect doesn't it. But no everyone looks like this. And that is what body image is all about.  I'm too fat. I'm too skinny. I want curly hair. I wish my ears were smaller. I hate my legs. I want to be shorter. Why can't I be taller?  For some, some of these sentences will sound familiar. Many teens will tend to put themselves down because they don't look a certain way. This is normal for teens to feel this way. Due to high stress and peer pressure teens can easily feel different.

As a teen or a preteen, your body is going through multiple changes. As you notice your body changing you feel your self image changing as well. Many teens have trouble with this transformation because they feel they're changing for the worse.

The media also influences us in many ways. Seeing our favourite movie stars and singers on the front of magazines can be good. But, many people think they need to look like their favourite stars. So if they don't look just like them it can really effect not only our body image but also our self-esteem.

Usually when you see a commercial for a new brand of jeans they will hire a skinny, gorgeous model. These models do NOT resemble the average woman. In fact, today's models generally weight 23% less then the average woman. The average person in the United States sees 3,000 advertisements a day, many teenagers become influenced my the television, magazines and billboards. Many teenagers are getting the wrong message about body image way too often.

But, it's not just the media that influences us. People all around us influence us. Maybe someone you know at your school, job or even a friend can influence you. Let's say that there is a person in your class that you think is very attractive, you probably will say to yourself "why can't I look more like her?" But, you shouldn't think that way. Everyone has the right to be happy in their own skin. We shouldn't be comparing ourselves to other people around us. We are who we are and that is that. Be happy with who you are.

Jayme Iggulden 8-3