II

“A study of network television commercials revealed that 1 out of every 3.8 commercials send some sort of “attractiveness message,” telling viewers what is or is not attractive. These researchers estimate that the average adolescent sees over 5,260 “attractiveness messages” per year.” I found this quote on a
National Eating Disorders website. I find it extremely disturbing that the media is sending this many messages telling girls who could be any age, that attractiveness looks a certain way.          
          Young girls are very gullible, and if there are sources everywhere they look telling them that a certain look is attractive, they are going to believe it and do anything to be "attractive" like the women in the advertisements.  What I am beginning to wonder, is how far some of these girls would actually go in order to look like the girls in advertisements? 
          Luckily, there seems to be some sense in the modeling industry. Although fashion shows are known for filling the runways with un-naturally skinny women, in this article from USA Today, they make a point to say that, "Any responsible model booker will tell you they turn away girls who get too thin." The article goes on to talk about how they are aware that models have a hand in the cause of anorexia. Young girls are seeing runway models on television and in magazine advertisements and think that it is normal to look as skinny as they are, and that they too, could be models, if only they had the same "perfect" body.  But why do girls see only one body type as being beautiful?
               While I admire the people interviewed in this article for admitting that beautiful doesn't always mean extremely skinny, I still believe those who control advertisements have a lot to learn about the consequences of their advertisements. The article ends with a quote by Kelly Cutrone, the owner of a company which produces fashion shows, "Unfortunately, most people aren't comfortable with their bodies." This quote is dead on, and if advertisements would only acknowledge this, they could help make many young women more comfortable in their own skin.

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       In recent years, Dove has created a "Campaign for Real Beauty."  They want everyone to, "

Imagine a World Where Beauty is a Source of Confidence, Not Anxiety."  They have created more advertisements, which include beautiful women of all shapes and sizes being at peace with their bodies, but why are there not more of these from other products and companies?  I really believe more advertisements such as these would help girls with their self esteem, and let them know that no matter what their body type, they are beautiful.