body language

Body Image and The Media - Written by Heather Craig

2004-11-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

"There is no other you. There is no other me.
That's what makes us all beautiful." Lenny Kravitz

When is the last time you liked what you saw looking back at you from the mirror?

Most university-age men and women indicate a dissatisfaction with their body image. http://www.statcan.ca/english/kits/pdf/social/underweight.pdf Men want to gain body mass and women want to become thinner. "In a study among undergraduates media consumption was positively associated with a strive for thinness among men and body dissatisfaction among women" (Harrison & Cantor, 1997) www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_mediaeffects.shtml This has even led to an increase in young female smokers (a lose-weight tool). Where does this obsession with size over health come from? Why are we more concerned with the way we look than how we feel, how we think, what we say, who we are? How does who we are becomed defined by how we look?

Where do we get the ideas about "ideal body size" and "normal weight"?

The Flea

2004-11-21T14:35:00.000-08:00

One source may well be the advertising images we consume on a daily basis, the television programs we watch while thinking "normal" really is defined by the actors and actresses on the small screen, the movies we watch (as well as the advertising posters), video games, and music videos. Models pose and flirt with the camera to encourage us to enter their world by buying the product they're selling. Do we forget that they're airbrushed within an inch of their lives, that their images are sometimes stretched to make them appear thinner, and that they are no more happy than we are?Make no mistake about it; entertainment is a business and we are being sold something. Wouldn't it be nice to make sure we actually want what it is we're getting?

"Once in front of the mirror I reeled as the harsh overhead lighting revealed my thick, age-hardened, sagging flesh." Bridget Jones (147).

"The popular media (television, movies, magazines, etc.) have, since World War II, increasinglyheld up a thinner and thinner body . . . image as the ideal for women. The ideal man is also presented as trim, but muscular". www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_mediaeffect.shtml

2004-11-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

What are we being sold, and why?

In two relatively recent publications, Vanity Fair (April 2004) and Entertainment Weekly (August 2004), a survey of advertising images revealed that of the almost every other page glossy layout there were not only no pictures of other-than-model-thin women, there were hardly any men or women depicted older than twentysomething (3 older men, 1 older woman). There were also very few ethnic differences in the advertising images (a grand total of 13 black women, 1 asian woman, and 5 black men). Most of the women depicted in the advertisements were white, young, thin, and blonde.

And have you ever asked yourself why almost all video game "females" are a certain body type?

Who is creating these images? Naomi Wolf, Dr. Mary Pipher, and Jean Kilbourne "assert that advertising preys upon insecure adolescents and women who are convinced that if they spend their money on the products advertised they will look like the anorexic models on display". www.ciadvertising.org/studies/student/98_fall/theory/hornor/who.html

The web site cited above goes on to point out that "There are four primary female stereotypes perpetuated by advertising: 1) sexual objects 2)homemakers, 3) man-dependent, and 4) seldom shown making important decisions or doing important things." The next time you are watching a t.v. program (especially during popular shows) test the theory. I tried it. It's frightening. Of the programming I watched I noticed a specific kind of image repeated regardless of what was being sold. The men and women depicted were almost always white (hair colour varied, size did not).

Furthermore, there was this recent article:

Associated Press Article on AOL Canada, 31 October, 2004:

Obese Women Earn 30% Less

.c The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Being fat may hurt your income - if you're a highly educated woman. So says research from Finland that suggests weight is a pay barrier for certain women, but not for men.

Obese women who are highly educated earn about 30 percent less - a difference of at least $5,000 a year - than normal-weight or even plump women, the study found. When analyzed by occupation, women with white-collar jobs earned less if they were obese.

Obesity had little or no effect on pay if women were poorly educated, manual workers or self-employed - and no statistically significant effect on men's pay, the study found.

``This suggests that, socio-economically, obesity is not as stigmatizing for men as it is for women,'' concluded the University of Helsinki researchers.

They couldn't explain why, or why there was a bigger effect on some women, except to say the pressure on women to be thin may be strongest among higher socio-economic classes.

The researchers combed national registries that track Finns' education, occupation and income to choose 2,314 men and 2,068 women for the study. Participants had to be employed in 1993, with no leaves for illness, thus attempting to rule out obesity-caused disease as a reason for lower income.

One limitation: Participants reported their own weight.

The study was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Isn't it interesting that this affects women, but not men? Why is that? In fact, a recent British study suggests men are only looked down upon (regarding weight issues) if they are seen with a fat woman! They are judged not if they are fat (which would be bad enough), but on how fat their date is.
"Women and girls are . . . consistently taught from an early age that their self-worth is largely dependent on how they look. The fact that women earn more money than men in only two job categories, those of modeling and prostitution serves to illustrate this point (Wolf, 1992, as quoted by About-face.org).

As for the "why?": About-face.org points out that "Marketdata Enterprises, Inc. estimated the size of the weight loss industry for 1994 [was] at $32, 680 billion." In other words, not only are we being sold a specific idea, we are asked to pay even more to make that idea become a reality. Who stops to question whether A) that particular reality is possible no matter how much money you spend trying to make it happen . . . B) that particular reality is what you even want.

What is the average person exposed to during much of his/her leisure time?

Music Industry -- VH1 All Access Skin Deep suggests that the cult of celebrity contributes heavily to the obsession with perfect appearance in men and women. Highlighted in video, posters, cd covers, and televised concerts is an up-close and personal look at the details of a particular celebrity's face and body. As they work to maintain the illusion of perfection, those who consume and drive the celebrities (as they are consumed and driven) are motivated to copy the images they watch. Popular right now? Breast augmentation, nose jobs, liposuction, "but" implants (no, really!) a la Jennifer Lopez.

A list of "plasticized" (or perceived to be plastic) celebrities: Michael Jackson (teased as a child over size of nose and gone overboard in his response to body image -- also he reportedly viewed his face as too "feminine"), Cher, Britney Spears, etc. Some pop stars (like Pink) challenge the music industry's push to perfection, but it is still the norm to expect stars to be dazzling. One has to ask why? Think of Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot; two average-to-over-sized women who felt industry pressure to downsize. "In a study on fifth graders, 10 year old girls and boys told researchers they were dissatisfied with their own bodies after watching a music video by Britney Spears or a clip from the TV show 'Friends'" (Mundell, 2002 as quoted by www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_mediaeffects.shtml). Further studies showed similar results with teens.

2004-11-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

Videos, those three-minute-long cd commercials, are predominately people by men and women of a certain body type (regardless of ethnic background). For example -- Usher videos: men of colour, ripped, well-sculpted body of male (upper body often exposed), markedly thin, sexualized body of woman of colour (frequently shown in semi-dress, underwear). Jennifer Lopez videos (exploiting posterior as selling point): ethnic woman, exposed, known for a particular body part. I'm not even going to begin talking about Britney Spears. Justin Timberlake videos: plethora of thin women (and/or him dancing with self-replicas). Madonna vidoes: only athletic body types need apply. I could go on. And that's just a small sampling of pop artists. Not that any of this is inherently "bad" -- just that's it's an over-commercialized depiction of one body type, and it's not Bridget Jones.

The glossy images dancing across the scene in music videos create more attention to the appearance of the "artists," according to Skin Deep. In fact, one interviewee claims that someone with Bob Dylan's "geeky" looks would probably never make it in the music business if he came on the scene today. American Idol's Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken who obviously did not win on stereotypical glossy appearance. However, both were encouraged by the music industry to modify their appearance. I can't help but wonder if the average person consciously wants to propagate the stereotypes of beauty based on the popularity of Aiken and Studdard. I would say that if most people thought about it, they would not want to support the expectation of physical perfection placed on both genders by the popular media and advertising moguls.

"My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare." (Shakespeare, Sonnet 130).

And since I just mentioned a couple of them, what about men? What kinds of images are men being fed? Make a list of the most influential men in North American popular media. How many different sizes and ethnicities are available as role models? If we look at hip hop, pop, and rap videos, are men still expected to be ripped, strong, and aggressively territorial regarding "their" women? Or has advertising improved? Are they still encouraged to be tough, masculine stereotypes? The documentary Tough Guise argues that men are sold an image of what it means to be a "real man" and that this creates a tension within men who do not fit that image. How many advertisements show men performing domestic tasks? There is the Scotty tissue commercial which plays with the image of the "sensitive" man crying over a movie. Is this supporting alternative depictions of men, or is it poking fun at them? Does it matter?

A study done in 1980 states that "girls are more influenced and thus more vulnerable to cultural standards of ideal body images, than boys are" www.about-face.org/r/facts/bi.shtml, regardless of ethnic backgrounds. Stats Canada, however, suggests that fact is changing. Boys, too, are falling victim to the relentless images of perfection in the media.

2004-11-21T14:26:00.000-08:00

That's Not All . . .

Have you ever really paid attention to the web ads? What is the impact of web advertisements that pop up as you're surfing the net? For example,

Who says younger looking skin is desirable? Who made that decision? Who decided wrinkles are unattractive? Did you? Why? Wrinkles tell the story of the person who is wearing them. Wrinkles are distinctive, unique. Why are advertisers addicted to de-personalizing the population? Of course, if you are already unique, valuable, and (according to Lenny Kravitz) beautiful, why would you buy their product? Insecurity is a great marketing tool.

And why are most of the men and women in these ads white? Do only white people use the internet?

For Further Eye-Openers Check This List of links:

www.pc.rhul.ac.uk/schools/Marco/bodyimage.html

www.fair.org/extra/9707/fear-of-fat.html

www.ciadvertising.org/studies/student/98_fall/theory/hornor/who.html

http://www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/bia.html

Description: Mediascope is a national, nonprofit research and policy organization working to promote issues of social relevance within the entertainment industry.
About-face -- http://www.about-face.org/
Description: a San Francisco-based non-profit group, about-face combats negative and distorted images of women in the media
http://www.fair.org/extra/9707/fear-of-fat.html
Description: Published since 1987, Extra! looks at the major issues in the news, questioning the conventional wisdom that narrows the range of issues, sources and perspectives. Articles examine biased reporting, censored news, media mergers, press/state cronyism, the power of corporate owners and advertisers, and the exclusion of progressive voices from the media.
The Focus on Beauty - http://members.lycos.co.uk/peaceandloveinc/ This site examines the depiction of female beauty in the media. The intent is to demonstrate how the media negatively impacts women's views of themselves, often leading to low self-esteem and other problems.

http://www.stoptheobject.com/index.html

Description: dedicated to educating, and hopefully changing people's perspectives about the importance of sex objects in today's society
For the BBC's take -- http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/personal/body_image/media.shtml

AdiosBarbie.com -- http://www.adiosbarbie.com/

Description: AdiosBarbie.com is a one-stop body shop, where women and men of all cultures and sizes can learn about their bodies; feel proud and comfortable in their natural shapes, sizes, and colors; speak out against impossiblebeauty standards; and share their experiences. It serves as a place for social commentary on body issues, redefining what the body really means and encouraging people to think of themselves first when re-imagining their perceptions of beauty and power.

http://www.teenvoices.com/issue_current/tvsaywhat.html
Description: A magazine for teenage and young adult women.
What Is Victoria's Secret - http://www.whatisvictoriassecret.com/ Parody site criticizing the idealized images of the female body in Victoria's Secret advertising.

http://www.statcan.ca/english/kits/pdf/social/underweight.pdf

StatsCan regarding body weight of Canadians based on age and sex:

http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-221-XIE/01103/tables/html/1215.html

Lesbian Body Image...Is There One? - Written by Sarah Nelson

2004-11-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

When you think of the word “lesbian”, what image comes to mind? Is she fat, thin, feminine, masculine, white, black….? Is she fashionable or frumpy? Or does she even care? Hey, she doesn’t have to look good to please a man, so why would body image be of a concern to her?

The lesbian community is most often left out of discussion about body image, therefore rendering the individuals who suffer from body image issues such as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating, over-exercising or low-self esteem invisible in the eyes of society.

“The phrase ‘lesbian body image’ isn’t found in psychological literature, because of the belief that body image is a problem for straight women only, or that lesbians have gotten over worrying about it. This isn’t true and only isolates those lesbians who haven’t gotten over it!” www.joekort.com/news6.htm

The stereotypical image of the “lesbian” in North American society is based on images made popular by radical feminist movements in the 1970’s. Lesbians lived a life outside of the heterosexual community, free from the gazing eyes of heterosexual men and their control over women’s bodies. These groups believed that women in the lesbian community could finally liberate themselves from the grips of heterosexual male desire and to reconstruct their body image as they felt necessary. They were proud of their bodies no matter what shape they were. But is the lesbian community really isolated from the rigid beauty mandates of heterosexual society? Are lesbian bodies free from expectations to be fit, thin and beautiful according to the heterosexual male mandate?

Beauty mandates constructed by men, for the sexual pleasure of men, are passed down to us by our mothers; subliminally advertised to us through the media and enforced by all of our social activities. We were taught that we must shave our legs and armpits, wear make-up, be as slim as possible and to look attractive at all times. In her article “Power, Beauty and Dykes”, Silva Tenebein states that the main goal of the heterosexual beauty mandate is that women be regarded as “fuckable” to men.

“Fuckable is the bottom line of the heterosexual aesthetic. What does it mean to look fuckable?” It means available, compliant, willing, or small, thin, flexible and without anything that gets in the way, such as an attitude, or an opinion, or pubic hair, or big thighs…” (Atkins 156)

At the time that this article was written, lesbians were virtually invisible within commercial culture. Recently the issue of lesbian visablity (as opposed to invisibility) has become a major issue and thus in deconstructing the lesbian body the question of who is deemed “fuckable” within the lesbian community becomes more of an important question. If we take a look at the way lesbians “fuckablity” is portrayed in popular culture and media we can see that is doesn’t differ greatly from the representation of heterosexual women.

The showcase original series “The L Word”, a lesbian drama geared towards queer and straight audiences, features eight main characters; all but one (who coincidentally is the heterosexual in the bunch) are extremely fit and skinny. Originally marketed as a "Sex in the City" for lesbians, it's premise relies heavily on sex between attractive women. One viewer after watching the show blogged this review:

“Basically, I learned that lesbians are all thin, beautiful, artsy, intelligent, and way way more sexy than regular women. I found out that lesbians go to the gym together to work out and leer at the straight instructors. I also learned that said lesbians do not have any fat on their bodies at all.” http://travelswithlizbeth.typepad.com/travels_with_lizbeth/2004/01/the_l_word.html

Ironically, “The L Word” is written and produced by women; lesbian women. If in fact there is no “lesbian body image” (according to popular belief)…why do all of the lesbians on the show represent the same body ideal? And why that ideal is so similar to the heterosexual male's ideal of a woman’s body? Why has this ideal changed so drastically since the 1970’s?

Many fans of the show hail it's arrival as addressing an issue long felt by some gay women:

“Rosie O’Donnell drills that stereotype of the dumpy lesbian home every time you see her in the New York Post. She’s either saying something obnoxious or she’s got some god-awful outfit on. I saw a picture of her in the tabloids at the U.S. Open wearing khaki pants that were way too short, with tube socks and clogs. I wouldn’t even wear that to take the garbage out.” http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/features/n_9708/

It’s obvious that lesbian desire and body image have shifted since the radical feminist days of the 70’s. But has it changed because the community has become assimilated with heterosexual society, or have lesbians taken back the power from the heterosexual community and reconstructed their body image once again?

“After years of living down our dumpy reputation, perhaps it behooves us to put our best, most made-up faces forward, for a change. I mean, how many “anomalous” dykes does it take to prove to straights and gay boys that not all lesbians wear bolo ties and Birkenstocks?” http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/features/n_9708/

So what are the implications of this “new” lesbian beauty mandate? Is this construction of the lesbian body actually empowering to women, or does it merely parallel the pressure put on heterosexual women by society to sculpt and exercise their bodies into sexual objects for someone else’s pleasure?

It is important to note that the reconstruction of the lesbian body is dangerous because unlike some studies have claimed to prove, lesbians are not exempt from developing eating disorders and body image issues. Eating disorders are in fact rooted in a manifestation of low self esteem coupled with a desire to gain control of one’s life by gaining control of the body. For lesbians who may already be prone to self esteem issues due to homophobia and self-hatred; who have already been influenced throughout their lives by the heterosexual beauty mandate; this new beauty standard could prove to be the ultimate catalyst towards self destruction.

At the same time, the reconstruction of the lesbian body does defy traditional stereotypes about gay women. We don’t all look alike. We don’t all have short hair, wear flannel shirts and frumpy clothes and lean towards the butch aesthetic. There are many lesbians who have reclaimed makeup, exercise, and feminine clothing and are proud to be different from those who fit the stereotypical “lesbian aesthetic”. And although “different” in the gay community may mean “same” within dominant culture, many consider it to be a step ahead rather than a step behind. Not all lesbians “fit in” with the gay community, and when it comes to self esteem there is much to be said about feeling accepted.

Sources:

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/features/n_9708/

http://www.joekort.com/new6.htm

Atkins, Dawn. "Looking Queer, Body Image and Identity in Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Communities". New York; Harrington Park Press, 1998.

Gender and Marketing Towards Children - Produced by Debbie Maber

2004-11-20T20:58:00.001-08:00

Part 1

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Part 2

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Part 4

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Part 3

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Part 5

2004-11-20T20:42:00.000-08:00

Part 6

Living with Breast Cancer - Written by Maureen Baxter

2004-11-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women.”

“On average, 407 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week.”

www.cancer.ca

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be devastating for women (and men). The future becomes uncertain for both the patient and their family. Individuals will undergo many different emotions. Some of them will include anger, confusion, sadness and fear.

The measures taken to treat the cancer can be different for different people. “Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill any cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of your body.” Hormone treatments may be used alone, or along with chemotherapy. Radiation is used to shrink tumors. Therapies such as “relaxation, imagery and visualization” can “complement” conventional methods. Alternative therapies “are treatments used instead of conventional therapies.”Some patients may only have to have a lumpectomy. This surgery “removes a breast cancer lump and a small amount of tissue around the cancer while preserving most of the breast.”Others may have to have a mastectomy. This is the complete removal of the breast.

Some women may “choose to wear a breast form called a prosthesis.” Temporary prosthesis are used until healing is complete then a permanent prosthesis can be purchased.Some individuals may also choose to have breast reconstruction which is “surgery to rebuild a natural breast.”

Quotes from After Lumpectomy and After Mastectomy booklets from the Canadian Cancer Society.

When women are treated with surgical measures for their breast cancer, they face not only concerns about their physical well-being but also their “mortality, femininity and sexual attractiveness” as well. After Mastectomy, pg. 17.

When a woman loses her breast to cancer, it can be difficult for both her, and her partner. The woman may feel she is no longer attractive because she has lost her breast. She might have also lost her hair, have problems with her complexion, nails and have lost a significant amount of weight. Her partner may fear that they might lose the woman to her cancer. As well they find it difficult to watch their loved one go through the difficulty of treating the cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, “communication is the key.”

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she will work with a team of health care professionals to treat the disease. The team includes: Surgeons; Pathologists; Medical Oncologists; Radiation Oncologists; Oncology Nurses; Oncology Social Workers; Family Doctor and Physiotherapists.

Other support can come from family and friends; clergy, and resources in the community.

Canadian Cancer Society Support in Saint John and Surrounding Areas:

• Canadian Cancer Society- 133 Prince William Street- 634-6272.

• Support Groups- Contact Val Landry- 657-3873 or Wendy Morris- 632-5620 (New Group).

• Accents For You (Mastectomy & Wig Products)635-3099.

Diemert Moch, S. & Graubard, A.. Breast Cancer: Twenty Women’s
Stories:Becoming Alive Through the Experience. New York: National League for Nursing Press, 1995.

Lambert, C. & Lorelei, A.. Through the Looking Glass: Breast Cancer Stories Told by Northern Native Women. New York: National League for Nursing Press, 1996.

Websites: http://www.cancer.ca/

mailto:www.cbcn@cbcn.ca

www.lookgoodfeelbetter.ca

Adolecents and Body Image - Written by Tanya Henry

2004-11-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

Adolescence is a long period of transition that makes many teenagers feel very insecure and vulnerable. It is the age group that predominately has eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Striving to attain a sometimes unachievable 'perfect' weight implies that the teen is dissatisfied with his / her 'true' self.

Images from the media assist in teenagers’ negative view of themselves. Ads are intended to sell products not to promote self esteem. The message that they portray is that “thin is in.” Everyday, around the world, billions of dollars are spent on products to pursue the perfect image.

The teen years are a very difficult stage in a person’s life. Teenagers go through many major changes that will affect their lives forever. Not only do they physically change, but they change the way they feel about themselves. Body image and self esteem are needed in order for a teenager to have a positive image of themselves.

Teenagers are also affected by the actions of their families. If their parents are consumed with their own body image, than the child will follow suit. If mom is constantly talking about the way she looks in her clothes, the teenage girl will do the same; and the same goes for a father to a son. Our childhood memories stick with us for life and therefore they should be positive ones. The best thing that a parent can do is have a positive body image of themselves in order to be a role model for their children. Peer pressure is also a major factor in the life of a teenager. Teenagers take their friends and peers very seriously and always look to them for advice when they feel they can not go to their parents. If a friend tells you that dieting is in and that you should try it, you most probably will. Ridicule and teasing occurs at school and between peers and often leads a teenager into a an emotional breakdown and can also lead to eating disorders and a lack of self worth – both physically and emotionally.

You have probably heard many adults talking about teenagers and how they are all crazy kids. They have violent mood swings and can never make up their minds about anything. Do they ever question why this is? Body image, which is a strong influence on a teen’s life, influences behaviour and our psychological actions. When teenagers feel bad about their body, which many do, their mood plummets and the rest of their life is affected by this. Teenagers are constantly attempting to reshape or remake their bodies and this leads to a very unhealthy sense of themselves. They loose confidence in their abilities and start to have problems in other areas of their lives. For instance, a teenage boy who feels badly about the way he looks will have problems approaching a girl or having a healthy relationship with men or women. His school work may start to suffer and he may begin to rebel. This does not happen to every adolescent but most will show signs of distant moods at least once in their teenage life.

A study of nearly 50,000 teenage girls revealed that most listed appearance as their largest concern. Another study found that 90% of teenage girls frequently think about their body shape. 86% of those girls are dieting or are thinking that they should be dieting. Add to that the fact that 5-10 million teenagers in the United States having eating disorders, and you have a very troubled adolescent population.

Eating disorders can come in many forms, but the two most predominant are anorexia nervosa, which entails eating next to nothing, and bulimia which involves a binge and purge routine. These eating disorders can lead to many other problems throughout life and are sometimes fatal.

Here are some simple guidelines presented by Rita Freeman, Ph.D. that can help to work toward a positive body image in not only adolescents but adults as well:

1) Listen to your body. Eat when you are hungry;
2) Be realistic about the size you are likely to be based on your genetic and environmental history;
3) Exercise regularly in an enjoyable way, regardless of size;
4) Expect normal weekly and monthly changes and weight and shape;
5) Work towards self acceptance and self forgiveness;
6) Ask for support and encouragement from friends and family when life is stressful;
7) Decide how you wish to spend your energy – pursuing the perfect body image or enjoying family, friends, school and most importantly, life.