We Can't All Be Barbie Dolls

By: Elizabeth Chen, Zanaida Curic, Cynthia Shao

The media’s portrayal of what a woman should look like is unattainable, leading to women questioning what they can do to get the so-called “perfect body.” Young women are exposed to the media’s definitive body standards of what “normal girls” are supposed to look like, giving them low self-esteem and hatred towards their bodies.

Many of us have seen products advertised in magazines or promoted by influencers online that promise to make us “more attractive.” Changes that are not possible with a single makeup product, but unfortunately, the media takes advantage of our insecurities and causes teenagers to grow up with materialistic mindsets and force them to believe that they depend on them.

“I want to be skinny and lose weight. I want to be curvy. I want to be taller/shorter. I want that body shape.” Everyone has thought of something similar to this at some point in their lives through Social media’s unrealistic beauty standards.,

What is perceived as attractiveness has been molded by celebrities and trends on media platforms, leading to teens with a distorted body image and insecurities. Disorders can stem from this self-consciousness, such as eating disorders, mental health issues, and impostor syndrome. The most common disorder is body dysmorphia, wherein one obsesses over minor or imagined flaw(s).

It may feel like you need to take action to change your body to the “ideal” beauty standard. However, remember that the “standard” shown throughout the media changes frequently, and a perfect body does not exist. Weight, curves, stretch marks, or hip dips do not define health and should not affect happiness. About 9 out of 10 women are unhappy in their bodies because of the body type that the media perpetuates. The majority of women feel this way, and there is nothing wrong with them. The flaw lies within the harmful ideas and pressure that the media puts on us as women.

Social media can often instill these critical and harsh expectations for body image; however, many celebrities promote self-love and acceptance. Like Selena Gomez, Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Lorde, and Rihanna, celebrities are great role models for promoting positive body image, especially for young women.

Instead of focusing energy on achieving an unrealistic standard, it is important to learn to love yourself and your body. Your body will always be a part of you, so it is important to take care of it and love it as it is.

There are many resources you can turn to, such as the body image helpline:1-800-994-9662.