Body Image/Gender and Racial Stereotypes
The physical images in the media promise happiness and success through everything from "miracle" diets to plastic surgery. Both young boys and girls are getting these messages at a rapid and dangerous rate. Media sends conflicting messages, advertising junk food, but using thin models — often in the same ad.
The overwhelming pressure to be thin in our society can lead young boys and girls to:
- Be dissatisfied with their own bodies
- Have low self-esteem
- Misuse diet or body-building products
- Experience eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge-purge eating
Gender and racial stereotypes also send a dangerous message about societal norms. There are few positive minority role models on TV and movies, and the most common role for a woman in a video game is a prostitute.
Parents can combat these damaging media messages by helping to build their kids’ self-image and pointing out stereotypes and unrealistic body types.
See below for related research studies on gender and racial stereotypes and body image in the media.
Self-esteem tied to body image for most teens
May 11, 2007
NEW YORK - The happier most adolescents are with their bodies, the more they like themselves, a new study shows. But among black boys, the researchers found, there was no connection between...
Reading diet articles linked to eating disorders
January 2, 2007
CHICAGO - Magazine headlines entice teenage girls with promises like, “Get the body you want!” or “Hit your dream weight now!” But a new study suggests reading articles...
Study: Where the girls aren't
October 25, 2006
A recent study finds movies aimed at young children are top-heavy with physically aggressive male characters. Whether it's Pokemon or Nemo, Tarzan or Thomas — a pocket monster,...
Video Games Racist, Says Study
July 21, 2006
Some popular video games promote racist, negative stereotypes of Asians that would be unacceptable in other forms of media, says a Canadian researcher. Robert Parungao, who studied the topic as...
Where the Girls Aren't: Gender Disparity Saturates G-Rated Films
March 23, 2006
Gender equity has progressed in many ways, but male characters still dominate television, movies, and other media for young children. Since women and girls make up half of the human race, the...
Teen body image, the media, and supplements: an unhealthy mix
August 5, 2005
Sculpted arms without breaking a sweat? Two minutes a day to chiseled abs? Teens preoccupied with defined muscles or attempting to gain weight were more likely to take potentially harmful...
Soaps, Music Videos Linked to Teens' Body Image
June 20, 2005
Desperate Housewives and other TV soap operas may help make adolescent girls desperate for a thinness few can healthily achieve, new Australian research suggests. The study of nearly 1,500...
