Fashion Models

Paper Summary:

The paper states that no media outlet strives to influence public perception more than fashion magazines, and in their quest to mold public opinion, fashion magazines have had a negative impact on how women perceive their bodies. The paper comments that the consequences have been frightening. Images of overly-thin fashion models have had a negative effect on the self-esteem of women, and this low self-esteem has led to dangerous conditions, such as eating disorders. The paper highlights that the desire to be thin among American women, which has largely been driven by media influence, affects even the youngest females who are not overweight. The paper concludes that it is time for the fashion magazine industry to stop claiming that it cannot control this problem.

Outline:
Introduction
Fashion and Self Esteem
Wrestling with a Solution
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Is there a way to remedy the hazardous effect that super-thin models have on women's self esteem? It's possible, of course, for women to simply stop purchasing magazines that are making them feel poorly, although they will likely encounter these same models in other media, such as television. Also, some would argue that models should look thinner and more beautiful than the average woman -- they are, after all, models. But turning a blind eye to the problem is to ignore overwhelming research that shows that ultra-thin models are posing a public health risk for America's women, let alone the risks those models are enduring themselves. To solve this problem, the fashion industry should borrow a strategy from high school and college wrestling, which have dealt with dangerous weight problems by requiring wrestlers to maintain a certain level of body fat in order to compete."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Burden and prevalence of eating disorders." Eating Disorder Coalition. 2007. 20 Aug. 2007 <http://www.eatingdisorderscoalition.org/reports/statistics.html>
• "Deaths shock college wresting." Healthy Weight Network. 1998. 20 Aug. 2007 <http://www.healthyweightnetwork.com/news6.htm>
• Maine, Margo. "Body wars: Making peace with women's bodies." Gurze Books: Calsbad, Calif., 2000.
• "North Hardin high school wrestling." ETeamz, 2006. 20 Aug. 2007 <http://eteamz.active.com/nhhswrestling/files/2006-2007StudentHandout.pdf>
• Roberts, William. "Certifying wrestlers' minimum weight: A new requirement." The Physician and Sports Medicine, Oct. 1998. 20 Aug. 2007 <http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/10Oct/roberts.htm>

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