The problem with the media’s portrayal of women

Ana Morrow | Assistant Opinion Editor

The images of women that are posted all over social media and in public have a tremendous impact on the self-esteem and overall confidence of women. Young girls are being exposed to all sorts of mass media that are expressing how women “should” look and “should” dress.

Many women see these images and perceive them as the idealistic woman. This can create aspritations to look like extremely thin supermodels and can cause many young women to have a negative mentality of themselves.

Think about yourself, think about your future daughter, and think about your future granddaughter; do you want them to be exposed to such media and have insecurities because of it?

Social media and mass media can portray women to an unrealistic standard. The use of things like photoshop, touch ups and plastic surgery can lead women to feel like they have to change who they naturally are. But the problems don’t stop there.

When young girls read magazines and watch their favorite TV shows, often times they begin to idolize the women they see. Then, when American media portrays them badly, insults them or gossips about them, it can give girls the wrong impression about how to treat and talk about themselves and eachother.

Women are often judged for their weight or how they look without makeup on, and it causes young girls to feel as if they must be perfectly put together in all ways. It is immensely sad that American media has the power to cause girls to turn to extreme, unhealthy dieting or to developing a type of fatal eating disorder.

While on Twitter, I came across an account that posts about magazines and their harsh judgments of famous actresses and singers. It had comments on the front page such as, “Mariah Carey: The 46-year-old pop diva is a big star. As in too big for this wetsuit!” It is utterly astonishing that people have the heart and nerve to publish such demeaning and rude comments.

UNC Wilmington freshman Caitlin Parise had quite a bit to say on this topic when asked.

“The science behind body image is extremely overshadowed by what society considers to be the ideal body composition,” said Parise. “Some girls are simply never meant to have big butts or super skinny arms or whatever the fad of the month may be, and yet I hear girls everyday saying the only reason they’re going to the gym is to get a bigger butt, or more toned legs, or abs. The problem is the only way to truly see change is to strive for overall fitness in order to live a heathier life, not just to look ‘hotter’ for more likes on the next Instagram picture you post.”

It is vital for women of all ages to feel confident about themselves and tackle life with a positive attitude. The way media functions in today’s society will continue to have a negative effect on how women view themselves and others if we do not change it.

We need to ensure that all of society is exposed to realistic and positive sides of women and focuses on their skills rather than their appearance. There is much more to life than appearances, and it is vital that we become aware of that.