Week 5 D.E.J.

"Girls need to learn that their identity is tied to more than their physical beauty and shape. Oliver (2001) asserted that adolescents ought to be educated in how to criticize texts and images that purport to contain facts about their bodies."

This statement really stands out to me because I have a twelve-year-old daughter who is often influenced by media images regarding what makes girls beautiful.  Before seeing my daughter's reaction to models on the covers of magazines, I really didn't think much about the impact that these images can have on young girls.  Once she started pointing out the cover models and stating that she wants to look like them, I cancelled my subscription to Glamour.  I know that I can't keep her from seeing and being influenced by the overwhelming media influence, I have made a point to explain to her that the models are made up and photo-shopped to produce the unrealistic product that shows up on magazine covers.  I also point out qualities and characteristics that make her unique and beautiful - both physical and otherwise.  I believe that critical media literacy is critical to allowing young people to see beyond the message that media sends regarding physical beauty and success.  They should be able to determine their own standards and also be accepting of others who look different and have varying goals and interests.

Sauer, H., & Robles-Pina, Ph.D., R. (2003). Magazines: what adolescent girls are reading and the way they shape body image. Advancing Women in Leadership, Retrieved from http://www.advancingwomen.com/awl/winter2003/SAUERR~1.html


This video explains the Photoshop process that takes place in magazines and shows a real-life example of the process.

The photoshop effect. (2008, June 16). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP31r70_QNM