There have been many issues lately addressing the 'thin' phenomena that has seeped its way into the media all over the world. According to the weekend Today paper, 'France outlaws online thinness' ;a Bill has been passed in France by the National Assembly citing a up to three year jail term is pendable for anyone who tries to 'encourage' anorexia and extremely thin bodies on websites, magazines and even in advertisements. This bill was passed after the French government came across pro-anorexia and bulimia websites on the net from US encouraging girls to purge and even giving tips on how to lose weight unhealthily such as through laxatives and other drugs. Though this can be viewed as an extremely drastic measure, I feel its a step forward in helping crack down on this unhealthy thin trend that has caused so many deaths and misery in young men and women of today. Also, I'd like to see it as a small step forward in helping change ideals of beauty and promoting different shapes and sizes in the future.
The media is one of the main influences in encouraging this unhealthy trend by subtely stating that only 'thin is beautiful' and showing endless advertisements and fashion spreads featuring only stick thin models; this message we are sending the public is contaminating individuality, and telling the public that there is only one beauty when beauty is subjective and opinions are different from person to person. When I was younger I remember models like Cindy Crawford who had voluptous figures being the 'ideal' beauties of the time, and back then did alot of people not say these figures were beautiful? Not to say they were correct in their opinion but this an example of how far the fashion industry has fallen; as well as how trends have changed, and not for the better. Infact, when have they ever been ideal? Healthy or not who gave the media the right to dictate what is beautiful and 'healthy' and what isn't? Health for one is dependent on the indiviual's personal well-being not on their body shape or any of their outward appearances. I for one would like to one day see magazines and advertisements feauturing men and women of all shapes and sizes; and heights, a variety where people can relate to more rather than conforming to just one 'ideal' that some mass-marketing medium tells us is right and that everyone should look like that in order to be 'beautiful'. No matter what some one looks like it should be about personal beauty more than any thing else, not abusing your body in order to fit what some one else tells you is right. Even models who go to lengths such as ankle implants, skin-bleaching, UV tanning and breast implants to fit the requirements of lingerie companies, Playboy or sports magazines, this is still trying to fit into some thing else, and not through healthy means either. Even with the more Maxim-based models, implants, hormone use and excessive surgery is abusing the body to fit some one else's standards, though one can argue at the end of the day it is their choice. But for impressionable younger men and women out there who were not born with the figures fashion industries covet, there are only so many means what can take to achieve these 'ideals' and how often are these means healthy in the long run? Even in terms of clothes and make-up, some like to wear it heavy, some don't, some prefer to look flashier, some prefer the natural look; its what they feel is beautiful and confident in. One has to remember they can't please everyone (no matter how much of the majority you please), as not everyone agrees with the same things. Isn't satisfying yourself important at the end of the day?Yes choice is choice, but let it be their choices, the fashion editors the media moguls, the models, let that be their ideals, and not let them try to influence and suck in those who don't believe in their extremes.
2 comments:
Not only do media influence the idea of "Thin" as beauty but the products such as all kinds of slimming products and the technology available such as suction of fats. These make all think that THIN is beauty. Worst is that many medical reports had indicate or link FAT to various sickness. Though, there is true high chance but that doesn’t mean being THIN would not fall sick. Sad to say this had been into this world for long that it very hard to change one opinion. Recent, there had been a change to promote healthy lifestyle but still not successful to clear the whole society mind.
One of mine bad experiences, is that went for an interview in a big firm and the manager criticisms my appearance just because I’m over-weight. As the firm needs presentable nice looking people and not like me, even though I do have all the necessary qualifications and experiences.
I think the governments around the world are starting to act against this. I think the French govt actually banned modelling firms from recruiting or showing models who are below a certain BMI. It is a small step but quite an important one in the fight against "thin is beautiful"
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