5.
-Lirola‘s (2012) study examines advertising and how it exploits
images of the idealized female body to obtain economic goals.
Essentially, the researcher claimed that the West has become increasingly
dependent on the consumption of body-oriented products which “service against the background of male expectations of the ideal female body” (Lirola, 2012, p. 489). Furthermore, women, given the previous situation, participate in a willing fashion in the “self-perpetuating ideology of male-defined femininity”, feeling that their own imperfections need to be fixed. For the purposes of Lirola‘s (2012) study, the use of advertising for cosmetic and plastic surgery was examined. Lirola (2012) made the claim that women, in terms of advertising, are used not only to construct a socialized concept of femininity but, the female body is also used, “from a critical discourse perspective” (Lirola, 2012, p. 503), as a commodity for economic gain.
images of the idealized female body to obtain economic goals.
Essentially, the researcher claimed that the West has become increasingly
dependent on the consumption of body-oriented products which “service against the background of male expectations of the ideal female body” (Lirola, 2012, p. 489). Furthermore, women, given the previous situation, participate in a willing fashion in the “self-perpetuating ideology of male-defined femininity”, feeling that their own imperfections need to be fixed. For the purposes of Lirola‘s (2012) study, the use of advertising for cosmetic and plastic surgery was examined. Lirola (2012) made the claim that women, in terms of advertising, are used not only to construct a socialized concept of femininity but, the female body is also used, “from a critical discourse perspective” (Lirola, 2012, p. 503), as a commodity for economic gain.
6.
-Monroe (2005) examined the specific effects media-portrayed,
idealized images, specifically with advertising, had on women’s “body shame and
appearance anxiety”(Monro, 2005, p. 85). Through her study, the researcher found that “appearance anxiety
increased after viewing advertisements featuring idealized images” (Monro, 2005,
p. 85). She also found an important relationship between the women’s “self-objectification level and the
presence or absence of the idealized body image” (Monro, 2005, p. 85). Through her study Monro (2005) notes that young women are vulnerable when it comes to body image. Essentially “idealized body images are influential and provide a source of pressure to meet the thin
ideal”(Monro, 2005, p. 85).
idealized images, specifically with advertising, had on women’s “body shame and
appearance anxiety”(Monro, 2005, p. 85). Through her study, the researcher found that “appearance anxiety
increased after viewing advertisements featuring idealized images” (Monro, 2005,
p. 85). She also found an important relationship between the women’s “self-objectification level and the
presence or absence of the idealized body image” (Monro, 2005, p. 85). Through her study Monro (2005) notes that young women are vulnerable when it comes to body image. Essentially “idealized body images are influential and provide a source of pressure to meet the thin
ideal”(Monro, 2005, p. 85).
7.
-Li and Brown (2006) note that on average young people view over three thousand ads a day and
those younger than eight are essentially cognitively and psychologically
defenseless against advertising (Li & Brown, 2006, p. 2565). Tobacco, alcohol and, fashion advertising are just some of the
concerns for children as relates to how they perceive themselves.
Li and Brown (2006) describe how many advertisements will place young
looking, attractive people as the main leads for commercials which seek to sell tobacco and alcohol. When a child sees the “cool” looking, young, and relatable people in the commercial smoking, they may in turn look at themselves and feel like in order to be that and obtain that “image” I need to do the same as in the commercial-the same for alcohol advertisements (Li & Brown, 2006, p. 2569). In terms of clothing, many ads will show skinny people posing in the latest trends. By children watching these commercials they may feel like in order to have the latest trends and wear them, one would first have to obtain the same “look” as the people in the commercial, which causes them to re-evaluate their own body image (Li & Brown, 2006, p. 2569). However the researchers state that some tobacco companies havemade a point to show the real looks of smokers and what smoking can do to someone’s body so as to deter young people. However, they do feel as though more efforts could be made and more “realistic” people could be used in fashion ads (Li & Brown, 2006, p. 2569).
those younger than eight are essentially cognitively and psychologically
defenseless against advertising (Li & Brown, 2006, p. 2565). Tobacco, alcohol and, fashion advertising are just some of the
concerns for children as relates to how they perceive themselves.
Li and Brown (2006) describe how many advertisements will place young
looking, attractive people as the main leads for commercials which seek to sell tobacco and alcohol. When a child sees the “cool” looking, young, and relatable people in the commercial smoking, they may in turn look at themselves and feel like in order to be that and obtain that “image” I need to do the same as in the commercial-the same for alcohol advertisements (Li & Brown, 2006, p. 2569). In terms of clothing, many ads will show skinny people posing in the latest trends. By children watching these commercials they may feel like in order to have the latest trends and wear them, one would first have to obtain the same “look” as the people in the commercial, which causes them to re-evaluate their own body image (Li & Brown, 2006, p. 2569). However the researchers state that some tobacco companies havemade a point to show the real looks of smokers and what smoking can do to someone’s body so as to deter young people. However, they do feel as though more efforts could be made and more “realistic” people could be used in fashion ads (Li & Brown, 2006, p. 2569).
8.
-Browx (2005) describes how men are now starting to become more negatively affected by advertisments and the ideal body image as well. Brown’s (2005) research describes that as men and women age the
concept of body image takes on a different meaning.
As women age, they tend to be more concerned with the functionality of
their bodies rather than appearance and more satisfied with their body image
later in life (Browx, 2005, p. 53). Conversely, men tend to be more focused on appearance and less satisfied with their body image later in life (Browx, 2005, p. 50). He describes how gender portrayals in advertising may contribute
to the differences in concerns with body image. (Browx, 2005, p. 50)
*Sources on last page
concept of body image takes on a different meaning.
As women age, they tend to be more concerned with the functionality of
their bodies rather than appearance and more satisfied with their body image
later in life (Browx, 2005, p. 53). Conversely, men tend to be more focused on appearance and less satisfied with their body image later in life (Browx, 2005, p. 50). He describes how gender portrayals in advertising may contribute
to the differences in concerns with body image. (Browx, 2005, p. 50)
*Sources on last page