Paper Summary:

This paper explains that body image is the one thing that haunts everyone, especially teenagers - males and females alike. The author points out that media images of picture-perfect celebrities, peer pressure and family factors are all causes of negative body image, which give teenagers low self-esteem and decreased confidence. The paper argues that, unless the media starts to show average bodies and natural beauty, males and females alike will feel pressured into certain looks, causing the cycle of crash diets, steroid use, cosmetic surgeries and eating disorders.

From the Paper:

"Many eating disorders are caused by media and the images they portray to teenagers nowadays. For example, before television hit Fiji in 1995, "plump" bodies were considered sexy and attractive. However, after television sets were brought into the country in 1995, cases of eating disorders skyrocketed. Teens are bombarded with images of beauty and perfection, which is obviously unachievable. Many celebrities are stick-figures with flawless looks and men falling all over them. This gives teenage girls the impression that, in order to get a guy to notice them, they have to be extreme skinny."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "About Face: More and more teen girls are willing to do almost anything to look good..." Online. Girl's Life. Feb 2005. 31 March 2005. <https://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=ff9768a162eb19748054d77b84e6bcce&_docnum=9&wchp=dGLbVlb-zSkVb&_md5=0a093d51e3d7c1bb882de2e3d2da83f1>
• Barton, Laura. "Celebrities distort girls' search for ideal shape". The Guardian. 5 Jan 2005. 31 March 2005.
• Battler, Jennifer. "Women waste too much energy trying to fit media image." Online. The Record. 25 Oct 2004. 31 March 2005. <https://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=615fa008a41e73da42159178d028b256&_docnum=16&wchp=dGLbVlb-zSkVb&_md5=1442f989741ef56c6c947a71f26ce59d>
• Clonts, Lauren. "Anorexia possibly fueled by media images." University Daily: Texas Tech. U. 18 Nov 2005. 31 March 2005.
• Cottle, Michelle. "Turning Boys into Girls." Everything's An Argument. Andrea A. Lunsford, John J. Ruszkiewicz, Keith Walters. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004.

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