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Meghan Gionta
Bureen Ruffin
English 120
12 May 2014
Why Don’t I Look Like Her?
When is the last time that you looked at a picture of yourself and actually liked
the way that you look in it? Or the last time you looked in the mirror and didn’t notice
the little bump in your nose, your slightly crooked front tooth, or that weird freckle that
you’ve never liked? Chances are, it was a long time ago. But why? Why are so many
people unhappy with the way that they look?
In today’s era of technology, it is impossible to avoid the media. The media has
become society’s main source of information. It has the power to control what people
think about almost anything. (Van Vonderen) Unfortunately, it uses this power to
control how people feel about themselves as well. People are constantly bombarded with
advertisements, magazine covers, television commercials, and other elements of media
that portray beautiful and perfect looking people. Being constantly exposed to images of
these perfect people makes just about everyone feel inferior.
More recently however, social media is becoming just as unavoidable. Social
media, “forms of electronic communication through which users create online
communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content”
(Miriam-Webster), is becoming a major influence on society, specifically when it comes
to body image. Websites and apps such as Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram give users an
opportunity to share photos, videos, and other media with their friends or “followers.”
This has created a media popularity contest among users. Twitter users compete for
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followers by posting the funniest or most relatable tweets. Instagram users employ
photos and videos from their daily life to attract attention. This app in particular has a
big impact on self esteem and body image issues found in today’s younger generation.
(Van Vonderen) How do social media platforms, intended to bring people closer
together, actually create competition, jealousy, and body image issues in their users? It
all starts with how the media has been used throughout history.
Modern media and advertising began in the 1950’s and 1960’s and through the
evolution of technology, has become what it is today: an unavoidable means of mass
communication. Almost from the start, women were reduced to objects to sell products.
Advertisements have used women as a springboard to acquire customers. Early ads for
weight loss programs used women’s personal stories as slogans. (Van Vonderen) They
