The looks of both people in someones life and famous people popping up in magazines, commercials, and social media feeds can affect one single individuals body image and body confidence. The article, Culture of Beauty, states that Critics frequently emphasize the link between prevailing beauty standards to fashion and cosmetics industries, which stand to profit from a large consumer base composed of all genders aspiring to an impossible-to-reach beauty ideal (Culture of Beauty). The models used to advertise and sell both beauty and fashion products tend to use techniques that make consumers want to fit in. A way to do that is to appeal to the side of consumer that is a little insecure or not as confident. By using beautiful models, ignoring whether or not photoshop is used, consumers tend to believe if the product or the type of fashion is bought, the buyer will fit in more, be more elevated in looks and be overall, more beautiful. The medias representation of ideal looks excludes most men and women. Studies show that 76% of women wish they see ads that have a more realistic image of women (Views Among US Women Regarding the MediaΒs Portrayal of Beauty). In addition to that statistic, 6% of women feel like they are not represented by the imagery of women in the media (Views Among US Women Regarding the MediaΒs Portrayal of Beauty). Of the women surveyed a vast majority feel like they do not see themselves reflected in the media or ads being circulated the in world. By making a simple c
hange, making people of all shapes, sizes, races, sexuality, and ages seen, both men and women might feel better about themselves. If companies used real people instead of skinny, clear-skinned, photoshopped models, there could be an immense change in societys idea of what beauty is.
Today in 209, where the idea of beauty is shaped by views of the media, older standards of beauty are rarely thought of. Author Viren Swami writes in an article that, Venus, the goddess of beauty was typically portrayed with a round face and a pear-shaped body (Swami). If at one point, an actual goddess was painted, drawn, and sculpted with a fuller body type, why did beauty ideals change from that? A pear-shaped body today would be seen as too full or maybe even in some cases too heavy. The overwhelming fact that body types are becoming less and less attainable is becoming clear as adults and even children aiming for a tiny waist and completely flat stomachs to fit in. Swami continues this idea by explaining that, during the 940s, researchers&began to document the first instances of negative body image, with women desiring smaller body sizes and larger breasts (Swami). This came as a surprise, as names like Marilyn Monroe, who was somewhat known for her fuller body type, were popular at the time. The issue of body image is brought up again and again and the constant changing is one of the biggest factors. The inconsistency of beauty ideals crushes peoples positive body images if they have any to start with.