Last week, we talked with Allese Thomson from Wesabe.com about women's self image and finances. Today, I thought we'd hear her thoughts on what impacts self image.
What factor, do you feel, has the strongest impact on self image?
"The sheer proliferation of images of unreal women living fictitious lives (think television shows, fashion advertisements, celebrity tabloids). It is virtually impossible to see these images and to not subsequently be impacted by them in some way. “Being impacted” can take variety of forms: it could be rejecting the promoted female beauty standards and lifestyles and taking a strident stand against them; feeling an urge to live up to them; or simply buying an advertised lip gloss or getting a similar haircut to a cool celebrity. The point I am trying to make is that the impact is not always negative, but can be neutral or even positive.
That said, even though these images are usually fictitious, hyper or unreal, their pervasiveness normalizes them. Thus women in fashion advertisements, magazines, television shows and movies already indicative of beauty, popularity, and success become the standards by which society and women hold themselves to and judge other women by.
However, these standards and lifestyles are not real. They are created for consumer consumption, they are specifically designed to trigger an emotional response and desire in the viewer, so that they will buy their product or service, be it a sweater or tuning for the next TV show. After spending nearly two years of my life as a runway and print model, I can guarantee you that women in ads and on television are not real; they are by-products of make-up artists, lighting, airbrushing, and hairstylists. Most women are aware of this; it is just really hard to see past it and even harder to accept oneself within these widely embraced, yet unattainable, social
standards."
If anyone doubts Allese about how unreal the stuff we see on tv is, watch the Dove Evolution ad where they take a normal woman and change her into a supermodel.
And if you think that's restricted to only humans, you'd be mistaken. I once watched a photo of an orange be painstakingly airbrushed for hours to eliminate all imperfections.
Comments (2)
She's right--my thinking mind knows, but part of me can't shake the impact of these ads. It's sad, I feel disappointed if I don't look "perfect," I feel frustrated by my less than ideal skin.
People might think I'm unaffected because I don't shave my legs or use makeup. But I feel it just the same.
(Actually, putting on a little makeup is normally a great experience for me. It makes me realize "Wow, when I wear this, I look more like 'beautiful people'." It's not enough motivation to wear it every day, but it helps me realize that I'm beautiful, just without the add-ons)
Posted by Mrs. Micah | October 31, 2007 2:30 PM
Posted on October 31, 2007 14:30
I love that Dove campaign.
Happy Halloween!
Posted by Meg H. | October 31, 2007 8:08 PM
Posted on October 31, 2007 20:08