Beauty - Is it Really in the Eye of the Beholder?

I don't think that anyone in the world is entirely satisfied with the way they look. I believe that everyone has a desire to be "perfect". We're all taught by our parents, our teachers, and even the Bible that the only form of "perfect" is God. 

1.  Why do you think people are portrayed this way in the media?

I think that people are portrayed in the media this way because everyone has a picture in their mind of what "perfect" looks like. Maybe it's a slim body, full lips, a narrow nose, carefully shaped eyebrows, a thin face, or two equally watermelon sized breasts. 

When a beautiful girl pops up on your television advertising the new cover girl makeup, it attracts you to it because your mind tells you that you might look like her. 

The advertising techniques are used on a regular day basis to draw us in to the product.

2.  How are you affected by the images you see?  

Personally, I try to not let the images that I see everyday bother me. I'm not perfect and I try to understand that, but like any other girl, sometimes it's really hard. We not only have to deal with girls around us that may make us feel insecure, but the media does as well. 

 

3.  What can be done to reduce the amount of young men and women that are negatively affected by these images?

Use real people. There is nothing wrong with advertising a product with a beautiful woman, or a to-die-for handsome man. I just feel as if they should start using real people - not 100% photo shopped barbie dolls.  

4.  What would your reaction be to a magazine cover where the subject isn’t all glammed up?  Is this a possible route that society should take?  Why or why not?

How funny! I hadn't even read this question before I answered the one above.

I really believe that this is the route that society should take. In order for both young women and men to be fully comfortable with they way they look, they should be able to go online and watch the television and see people who look natural. 

Here is a six minute video tutorial on how to "Virtually put someone on a diet in Photoshop". Pay attention to how he talks about this woman and the words he uses to describe her. 

Women should be able to feel beautiful all the time. It shouldn't matter how much they weigh or whether they have perfect skin or not. [Not meaning to sound cliche!] But what really matters, is their heart.