The Impact Of Media On Self-Esteem

Instant Self Esteem Boost – Ignore the Media

It’s no wonder that women dread bathing suit season when the ideal media image is very young, tall, and has no fat except in her bikini top. It doesn’t seem to matter what age a women is or whether she is thin or not so thin, we all catch ourselves comparing our bodies to this media image of perfection at some point. Of course the media has idolized this unrealistic and usually airbrushed version of the female body for a long time, but in recent years what has become more troublesome is their treatment of women that they have decided no longer fit this ideal of physical perfection.

For years Tyra Banks was one of the most photographed supermodels, and everyone remembers her for looking impossibly perfect in those barely-there bikinis on the cover of the Sports Illustrated. A decade later, pictures of her in a bathing suit were once again causing quite a buzz, but this time it was because someone had captured these photos after she had gained some weight. The story gained momentum because in addition to the photos and a nasty article, websites posting the photos allowed viewers to
add their own cruel comments which many did with an almost competitive spirit.

Luckily for women, Tyra did not let these photos send her into hiding but instead started her "So What" campaign to encourage women to stop obsessing about their bodies. Good for her. What kind of person hides out on the beach waiting to zoom in on a woman’s one or two "problem areas" so that they can take unflattering photos of her in a bathing suit? Women already have a mental zoom lens that focuses right in on their flaws no matter how great they look overall. Let face it, we don’t grab for the sarong the second we get out of the water just because it looks fashionable.

Apparently the paparazzi didn’t learn their lesson about ambushing women on the beach so that they could try to humiliate them with unflattering photos. They did the same thing to Jennifer Love Hewitt, star of Ghost Whisperer and the Scream movies. In her case, photos were taken while she was celebrating her engagement, which just goes to show how mean these people really are. She graciously made a statement about how she wanted to focus on this happy moment in her life and not have to defend one less than perfect photo.

Women everywhere wholeheartedly agreed, and like Tyra she became more popular in the hearts and minds of women for defending our right to wear a bathing suit without obsessing about our bodies. If these women can have fun on the beach with stalking paparazzi waiting to pounce, then we can certainly enjoy our time in the sun no matter what size we are. On a practical note, I try to remind myself that I feel and look better with a smile on my face while enjoying the beach with my kids than I do looking all straight-faced while trying to maintain that position where my stomach looks perfectly flat.

Author: Tina Tobin

Tina Tobin has been an advocate for women and family issues for many years. She is the creator of the interactive website http://www.luvemorleavem.com where women can share straight-forward relationship advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_Tobin

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