Media s Influence On The Perception Of Beauty - 1389 Words

Is it possible to define beauty? The answer is seemingly yes, though agreement on said definition(s) is an entirely different matter. Some concepts have the luxury of general consensus. Of course, where there is consensus on definition, there will be debate on operationalization. Nothing remains unchallenged. Beauty, however, is in a class of the transient, the ineffable, and the ephemeral. The word is just a word, but the identity ascribed to it is of the mysterious. So how does one begin to define beauty if such an act is possible? Very simply, we look at people, places and things through a personal lens, which consists of social institutions, norms and values. In thinking about this concept in relation to media, I am curious if media’s influence on the perception of beauty acts as a similar agenda-setting function or if it is simply another mediated factor in the perceptions of beauty. Do people think about beauty based on standards of the media, or do we regard them alongside an absolute perception of beauty? Scientists have noted that beauty is a biologically influenced phenomenon. But influence is the operative word. Beauty is also societally influenced. Society includes individuals, institutions and the media, among other things. One could easily relate this debate to nature vs. nurture. Is it biology or environment? Of course, it is both. Humans are not just made up of DNA. We are moral and cultural creatures. Discussing the primacy of such factors keeps the debateShow MoreRelatedThe Influence Of Media Reporting On Society s Perception Of Beauty1730 Words   |  7 PagesIt is evident that over the last decade the media has cre ated an image that is unrealistic and unattainable for teenage girls. As such, based upon a macro perspective, the societal roles, status and expectations of young women have been impacted negatively. This paper will analyze how the combination of media reporting, socioeconomics and sociocultural factors contribute to the development of eating disorders as well as how society s perception of beauty has been distorted. This paper will furtherRead MoreSocietal Standards Of Female Beauty1282 Words   |  6 PagesMedia is something every female and male look to for guidance when it comes to fashion, beauty, and information. â€Å"Magazines and advertisements are used to help women better themselves by giving information and products to make them look and feel better† (Serdar 1). Without magazines and advertisements there wouldn t be an exact focus on beauty standards.. People would have the freedom to choose what they like and what they consider beautiful instead of following t he crowd. â€Å"Sociocultural standardsRead MoreThe Media s Influence On Society1560 Words   |  7 Pagesdon’t matter, beauty is only skin-deep, you’re beautiful just the way you are. How many times have we heard this, yet we live in a society that appears to contradict this very idea. If looks don’t matter then why do women and girls live in a society where their bodies define who they are? If looks don t matter then why is airbrushing used by the media to hide any flaws a person has? What exactly is causing this, why do we feel like we are just not beautiful the way we are? Its the media. It’s becauseRead MoreSocialization Molds And Shapes An Individual s Personality909 Words   |  4 PagesSocialization molds and shapes an individual s personality. This process is achieved through various agencies of socialization some having greater influences than others. Firstly, when the word beauty is mentioned, a majority of the world pictures a skinny, fl awless face, clothes that spell wealth and a fairy -tale life. I am one of the majorities who picture beauty this way and this is as a result of the most powerful agent of socialization The Mass Media. It introduces its audience to people whoRead More The Medias Influence on Eating Disorders Essay example1100 Words   |  5 PagesThe Medias Influence on Eating Disorders The National Eating Disorders Association states that eating disorders are conditions that arise from factors including physical, psychological, interpersonal, and social issues. Media images help define cultural definitions of beauty and attractiveness and are often acknowledged as one of the factors that contribute to the rise of eating disorders (NEDA). The National Eating Disorders Associations website, The Effect of the Media on Body SatisfactionRead MoreThe Impact Of Media On Society Today911 Words   |  4 PagesAccording to Dictionary.com, â€Å"media† is defined as means of communication that reach and influence society or people widely. For instance, radios, televisions, newspapers, and magazines are forms of media. The influence the media has around the globe is profound, therefore, in this essay, I am going to discuss the impact that media has on the society today. Although social media can connect all people in the world instantly, the negative effects have a great impact on the society because itRead MoreImpact Of Advertising On Female Identity Formation1592 Words   |  7 Pagesculture is highly concerned with beauty. From magazine to television advertisements, women are bombarded with images of perfection—perfect figure, perfect hair, and perfect skin. Moreover, advertisements sell products that would help improve women’s appearance. The problem with these advertisements is the subjectivity of beauty as a whole. Every individual has his or her own preference and perspective on what it means to be beautiful, but for advertisements beauty is obtaining perfection. One ofRead MoreMedia Consumption Of Non Western Countries1414 Words   |  6 PagesMedia Consumption in Non-Western Countries The usage of media in Non-Western countries has been spreading as technology and social media have become the focus for most teenagers and young adults. Contrary to the assumption that Western countries are the only nations that have a population obsessed with media, statistics have shown that other developing countries are experiencing a significant increase in advanced technology usage such as using smartphones more frequently along with internet usageRead MoreSocio Cultural Morals Of Feminine Beauty1212 Words   |  5 Pagesfeminine beauty are put in all forms of favored media, battering women with images that portray what is advised to be the impeccable body.These morals of beauty are almost completely far-off for most women; a majority of the models advertised on television and in advertisements are below what is considered healthy body weight. Mass media s use of unrealistic models says an implicit message that in order for a woman to be beautiful, she must be unhealthy.The media puts an image of beauty that isRead MoreBeauty: Human Physical Appearance and Women1306 Words   |  6 Pages Beauty Throughout these moments in time, the term beauty has slipped out of control and become something utterly dissimilar. The significance of beauty has developed into something so unappealing, so unpleasant, so repugnant, that even now society is coming to the apprehension that the way they are portraying the description of beauty is erroneous. Over time, ‘beauty’ has evolved to something rather peripheral. Being beautiful is turning