Body Image and the Media

Do you know what body image is?
Yep; it's basically how you see and feel about your body.

Do you like what you see in the mirror? Please explain why you do or don't.
I do. I'm pretty thin and definitely a healthy weight for my height so there are absolutely no problems that I have with myself and there isn't much, if anything, I'd change. Thin but still have meat on me, heh. I am one of the lucky ones who has high metabolism so weight gain is slightly difficult but after starting kickboxing in June I've been feeling a lot happier about my appearance despite it not having changed much. I feel proud of myself and my body now that I work hard towards a healthier lifestyle.

What is your definition of a perfect body? How did you develop this personal definition?
It depends on the person. For myself personally I would prefer to be thin but not too thin - again, I'll reiterate the "thin but still have meat on me" part. I am happy being skinny but not overly so. Curves are also a necessity that I'm happy to have (but again, these are all preferences I have for my own body).

How do advertisements with well-built models make you feel about yourself?
They hardly affect me. I understand, especially as a graphic designer and photo retoucher, that they're absolutely unrealistic and should not be used as a standard for yourself. The images these fake photos implant into people is extremely saddening given that most of those models are either shopped or living extremely unhealthy lives.

Does the media affect what you look for in a partner in relationships? If you aren't looking for relationships, does the media affect what you look for in people in general?
No, it does not for similar reasons to my answer in the previous question. I am more interested in those who work towards a healthy lifestyle rather than making petty comparisons of people to these obnoxiously fake or unhealthy models.

 

1. I do know what body image is. It's the idea of what you think of your own body when you picture yourself.
2. I honestly don't like what I see in the mirror. I always find myself comparing myself to others. I find flaws with what I see, whether it's how thin or thick my thighs are or how tall I am.
3. My definition of a perfect body? Not mine. Everyone has their perfections or imperfections and I can cope with that. However, I do get jealous over the little things that others have or don't have. I think there is no perfect body since we're all born with flaws, but I do believe some have more flaws than others whenever I look at media or even childhood toys like dolls.
4. Models with well-built bodies make me feel insecure about the things about my body that I CAN'T change. Ads tell you that you can change yourself to look like them, but in reality there is NO possible way to look like that without being born with the genetics or having the expensive resources.
5. Media somewhat changes what I look for in people. I would be lying if I said I didn't avoid the bums on the street who aren't well groomed and such. However, if I really get to know a person, media's hold over me completely disappears. Beauty is a term that is different for everyone, and body image is not at the top of that list for me.

 

Ooh, sounds fun! I'll be glad to help out.

Do you know what body image is?
Sure do. Body image is the way you personally see and feel about your physical being.

Do you like what you see in the mirror? Please explain why you do or don't.
I do. I've always been pretty comfortable in my own skin, even if there is a thing or two here and there that I'd prefer was different sometimes, it's never been an issue. I feel lucky to have the body shape and metabolism that I do, and to be happy with it. Like I said, there's been a few things here and there that aren't really ideal to me (especially acne, but hopefully that ain't permanent!) but no major issues here for me.

What is your definition of a perfect body? How did you develop this personal definition?
I never really think about the idea of a "perfect body", to be honest. The image that people want to work toward are probably the closest a body could get to being "perfect", but the little flaws are what make us human. No body is perfect. But closest to perfect - yeah, whatever a person feels comfortable with personally. So I guess, by that definition, my body is close to perfect, to me anyway.

How do advertisements with well-built models make you feel about yourself?
I know that it's all fake, and growing up I've practiced understanding that and knowing that those models have their flaws too. The unrealistic appearances they pull off can only be done through super unhealthy means - even then, they're often photoshopped even further. I wish it would stop, because it only promotes the idea that no flaws = beautiful. And no one is flawless. No one! It's just a ploy to get you to buy their products in hopes that it can make you "beautiful", too. They don't make me feel anything but frustrated.

Does the media affect what you look for in a partner in relationships? If you aren't looking for relationships, does the media affect what you look for in people in general?
I tend to not really relate to people who are very superficial, who feel like they can't leave the house without makeup, or who judge others based on appearance... so I guess it would affect me in that regard. I prefer people to be more down to earth than that, personally. And I can really respect people who don't revolve their life around what they "should" look like, and instead focus on what they personally feel comfortable with.

 

I actually did an informal debate on this not too long ago, so I'll chip in with my opinion.

1. Do you know what body image is?
Well if I didn't I wouldn't have been able to form an opinion for said debate XD. Yes, in a shellnut, it's the mental image of your body, which can be influenced by pretty much everything.

2. Do you like what you see in the mirror? Please explain why you do or you don't.
Yes, not because I'm thin or have a great body, but because I've decided that I don't care what others think of me. I'm not out of shape or anything though. I keep tabs on my weight and other alterable features, but I've learned not to worry about the unchangeable, like body shape, facial features, and the such. The (negative) opinions of others don't really matter to me, since they're not going to affect me in the long run. There are times when I tend to go "Hey, I don't like that," while looking at myself in the mirror, but that's more due to personal opinion than the thoughts of others. And even when that happens, it's usually something trivial, like the shape of my eyebrows or something, and I can fix that whenever I want.

3. What is your definition of a perfect body? How did you develop this personal definition?
To me, there's no such thing as a perfect body. There's no such thing as perfect. It's a made up, unachievable concept. Perfection means to be without flaw, and since flaws are what make everything unique, perfection, in itself, is a flaw. It is not good to be perfect, contrary to popular belief. I think that you shouldn't worry so much about the genes that make you up, and instead focus on the manageable aspects of your appearance.

4. How do advertisements with well-built models make you feel about yourself?
Pft. Screw modeling ads. I couldn't care less about them, and they don't make me feel any worse or better about myself, but there's people out there who are affected. Body image, for most people, is more a matter of whether or not you've accepted yourself for the way you look. I don't feel jealous of models with great bodies, because I'm aware of the fact that my body will not be the same as theirs. And that's perfectly okay with me.

5. Does the media affect what you look for in a partner in relationships? If you aren't looking for relationships, does the media affect what you look for in people in general?
I couldn't care less what my partner looked like, since I'm an aromantic. I don't think I want or need to worry about the appearance of a nonexistent partner. As for people in general, not really. I don't really care if you look "gorgeous" or "ugly" since those are both in the eye of the beholder. Nobody is really "ugly," and nobody is really "beautiful" either. People can't help the way they look, so there's no need to judge them for it. Moreover, appearance isn't tied directly to personality, something that is far more important, at all.

 

1: I believe that body image is the physical manifestation of the image you hold of yourself.
2: Yes and no. No because I'm over 200 lb, with acne all over my face and back, and a somewhat pudgy face. Yes because I didn't allow it to get any worse and I can still do something about it.
3: A perfect body is one that you can function in without any problems.
4: I'm so glad I don't do steroids.
5: The general negativity and dismal messages the media has on a lot of people serves only to strengthen my faith in what I know to be right for me. I'm 22 years old, single, and happy to be that way. Besides, I'd be a poor father because I have trouble looking after myself, forget a family of 4.