Effects of Media in Body on Shaming (Coursework Sample)

Describe how media contributes to body shaming
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August 12, 2014
Describe how media contributes to body shaming
Introduction
The issue of body shaming has existed for a while with its debate currently revolving around the need to have comprehensive media reforms. Key concerns include expected roles of the print, electronic and social media. This paper seeks to discuss the current debate over the role of media in body shaming.
What is body shaming?
Body shaming is the act of criticizing people based on their appearance for example people are criticized for being too fat or too thin. Magazines and TV commercials et al mostly do the act of telling people on how they should look. It often leads to comparison and shame, and perpetuates the idea that people should be judged mainly for their physical features.
How do media outlets contribute to body shaming?
Magazine covers and entertainment media blatantly insults and demeans women because of size and appearance, explicitly sending the message that certain bodies are worthy and others are not. All too often, the media illustrates body parts being scrutinized and picked apart reducing the humanity of the individual to mere physical objectification. There has also been a rise in male body shaming, whereby male celebrities are held to “impossible physical standards.” Men who are not bulging with muscles, men who are aging and men whose bellies are not six-packs are hit with public criticism.
What are the consequences of body shaming?
It is easy to see how having an opinion on someone's physical appearance can have immediate effects but alongside emotional hurt and a sense of being ostracized, it seems this kind of discrimination may cause serious long-term damage. It has a more profound negative impact on both physical and psychological health than prejudice against more fixed characteristics such as gender and race. University College of Medicine found that discrimination against things that could be thought of as malleable or changeable such as weight did cause considerably greater decline in both physical and emotional health when compared to those who reported no discrimination.
Conclusion
 HYPERLINK "http://mashable.com/2014/09/11/fat-shaming-weight-gain/" \t "_blank" According to researchers, weight shaming may lead to unhealthy comfort eating and a lack of confidence when it comes to working out.  HYPERLINK "/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0070048" A 2013 study found that subjects who were not obese, who were shamed for their weight were 2.5 times more likely to become obese a few years later, compared to subjects who had not experienced weight discrimination. Pointless body shaming promotions by media outlets, promote eating disorders and other unhealthy habits in the name of being healthy or sexy. Why are healthy foods or workout challenges never trending? The media is consumed ...