First it was through women's magazines as well as film, TV, and print commercials and now it is increasingly through social media that body ideals take place. Social media is very visual, especially Instagram which is often described as a platform that focuses on looks (Rodgers et al., 2021, p. 11). You can create your own universe where it is possible to portray a desired identity through images. I would argue that it is especially women who are most likely to be influenced by what they see on social media. On Instagram, you want to show off your best side, which can lead to edited photos that do not reflect reality.
Media influence - The desired ideal
Media is part of modern culture - we can be constantly updated on what is happening in the world and have therefore become part of how people perceive themselves and the world around them. Media tends to portray the thin / athletic body as the ideal one wants to strive for. The woman therefore tries to chase 'the perfect body'. Social media therefore becomes a mirror, where she is reflected in what she sees on social media and constantly tries to monitor her own body to see if she follows the current trends in body ideals.
Am I good enough?
People who thrive in the Instagram world greatly signal the perfect bodies, perfect lives, and perfect relationships as opposed to the viewer. The woman compares herself to the unrealistic and idealized images presented on Instagram, leading to increased dissatisfaction with the body as it seems unattainable. The social comparison creates a discrepancy between one's actual body characteristics and the ideal body characteristics, which is creating a dissatisfaction. On social media, it is easy to receive and provide feedback on the posted images, which contributes to increased focus on the social comparison (Marks et al, 2017).
The consequences
Research has gradually been developed on the impact of the media on the body image. This suggests that the media is helping to shape people's concerns about body image.
The widespread phenomenon, especially in the western culture, around beauty equals to thinness. This phenomenon can lead to risk factors, including the development of concerns about body image, eating disorder and excessive fitness training. However, several researchers have seen a shift in recent years from the thin ideal to the athletic ideal as a "healthier alternative" (Marks et al, 2017). But is it right?
At the same time, I also see a potential for harmful social comparisons that lead to lower self-esteem as you have a constant monitoring of your body to try to have 'the perfect body'? - But ‘the perfect body’ has not a definitive definition, so what is it that we constantly strive after? Something that is defined through social media.
Bibliography:
Marks, R. J., & Foe, A. D., & Collett, J. (2020). The pursuit of wellness: Social media, body image and eating disorders. Children and Youth Services Review, Volume(119). https://www-sciencedirect-com.proxy1-bib.sdu.dk/science/article/pii/S019074092032082X?via%3Dihub
Rodgers, R. F., & Paxson, S. J., & Wertheim, E. H. (2021). #Take idealized bodies out of the picture: A scoping review of social media content aiming to protect and promote positive body image. Body Image, Volume(38), 10-36. https://www-sciencedirect-com.proxy1-bib.sdu.dk/science/article/pii/S1740144521000437?via%3Dihub
Author: Freja Kirkegård Published: 17. Nov. 2021
Comments