The fact that there are so many articles and books on body image and eating disorders is a sad reality. Jill S. Zimmerman’s article “An image to heal” could not be a more appropriate title. Many points made in Jill’s article are so accurate it is scary. Her statement of how surrounded our society is by the perfect body and how everywhere you turn a stick figure is staring back at you. Jill perfectly compares the fact that we are so inundated with unrealistic beauty that it actually is like underground landmines, where one never knows which step will lead to your own destruction. There is so much emphasis on striving for perfection that not enough people realize how unrealistic this goal of looking like the perfect supermodel is. Body image has consumed our nation.
Magazines, television, radio, and advertisements are just a few examples of the deliberate push to make our minds believe that skinny is pretty and fat is considered disgusting. The idea of making these models picture perfect is not only saddening but it is delivering the wrong message to our youth. This is what the beauty market wants. Pretty, skinny bodies sell, they appeal to the eye
. The idea that to get ahead in the world, to be accepted in society, and to be loved only if you look perfect is their goal. If you buy “their” jeans then you will be more attractive, but only if the jeans are a size two. This warps young minds and only makes these innocent young woman and men strive for an unrealistic goal. Many clothing stores cater to this issue as well. The clothes are being made smaller and tighter, which makes an average sized person feel huge when they can’t fit into a size four. When in reality a size four is a very uncommon size to be. The average pant size for an adult woman is a healthy ten. Shockingly enough people cannot accept this. One cannot walk through any city in America and not be slapped in the face by an image of a tall, thin, waif like model. This look is not only unhealthy it is absurd. It is only natural that we consume ourselves with wanting to look like a super model because if that‘s what the fashion industry says is the standard then the consumer accepts it. There is an unnatural and unhealthy drive to achieve this airbrushed beauty. So many people try horrendous diets, exercise far too often than needed
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