As I was reading some news articles on the internet this morning, I came across a story about how the clothing brand Ann Taylor experienced a glitch on their website exposing the severe airbrushing of an already thin model. This isn't the first time this company has been caught altering their models looks either. In May, after being exposed, they were apologetic and claimed to want to "celebrate the natural beauty of women". Right. The natural beauty of women in really celebrated by making thin women look thinner, to the point where it's almost realistic.
For years and years, the media has portrayed this "perfect" image of what women should look like. They have to be skinny, their skin must be flawless, their hair must be stunning, they must be the ideal little Barbie. Why is this idea so prominent, when the number of women that actually meet this crtieria is so much smaller than the number of women that don't? Who in their right mind felt they could pick and choose what's acceptable in society?
This news article represents something that is extremely common in today's media driven world. This happens all the time, everyday in ads and magazines. We might see a girl in a magazine and think, "Wow, she's gorgeous." What defines "gorgeous"? I think everyone's view if the word is a little bit different.
What happened to the beauty of being different, according to culture or what's beautiful in one's own eyes? It's a frightning thought that perhaps, in the future, everyone will look the same. They will meet the standards of looking "perfect".
*Here's a link to the news article I mentioned: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/ann-taylor-s-retoucher-strikes-again-2225865/
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It's all about money! Money money money.
ReplyDeleteThe Ann Taylor clothing company wants to portray this 'perfect' image because they want to make a huge profit- they want to sell people out. Companies think that if an unattractive person displays the company's products, customers won't be interested. They want their customers to be dazzled, amazed, and impressed. It makes sense, but it is also wrong to make someone out to be someone different just for the sake of a company's success.
I also agree with what you said about the "beauty of being different." Imagine if everyone was 'beautiful'... Is that even possible? The point is, the word 'beauty' can't really be defined. Everyone has different ideas about the 'good-looking' type. Size, age and ethnicity shouldn't be a HUGE factor.
THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS PERFECT!
...To add to my point, I recall in "Amusing Ourselves to Death" that Postman said how people will go to extreme measures to be beautiful. He talked about how newscasters spend more time in front of the mirror than studying their scripts and information to present on T.V. People want to look good for the sake of being beautiful. Wouldn't you think that being smart and intelligent would be more important than being attractive? Sadly but truly, this isn't always the case.
ReplyDeleteTo be sincere, I do not believe there is any true definition to the word beauty. In my opinion, there are two possible and only reasons why we are convinced that "beauty" consists of glowing skin, impeccable hair, a nice smile, and straight teeth.
ReplyDeleteMedia is to blame for "brainwashing", if you will, young girls and boys into thinking there are certain things one must do and follow to be considered beautiful and faultless. We are also in part accountable, because we allow these crazy ideas and thoughts enter our minds. Who on this world has the right to label a human-being as hideous or simply charming? I very much love variety and difference in our society. I, just like Maddie, cannot accept or imagine that one day all of us will look exactly alike only to reach a level or rank of so-called perfection.
I agree. I think it's because a lot of us in our society don't have much confidence. Everyone wants to have nice clothes, and want to do whatever it takes for people to consider them "beautiful." Some clothing stores put super high prices on clothes because they know that people want to fit in with the image and pay for it - as long as they look good.
ReplyDeleteBut really? In my opinion... Everyone is following the same trends. They say that not everyone fits into that Barbie mold, but everyone is wearing the same things and has the same hair styles because it's what's "in" so, why doesn't every fit in? Everyone has something that is beautiful about them. I don't think we need media to tell us we're not.
I saw a bumper sticker the other day that is related to this subject. it read, "Don't change the way you look. change the way you see." It caught my attention and I truly enjoyed it, I gave the driver a thumbs up as I sped ahead of them.
ReplyDeleteI do hate how everything nowadays is all about looks. Come on, society, aren't we pressured enough? And being a girl, I can say women have it rough. I went to South Coast Plaza yesterday and was surrounded by stick thin models and workers. I once read in an article that if the mannequins were actual humans, they would be considered anorexic. Makes you think twice about it, eh? Trust me on this, love the way you are and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Don't give in to the media.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the media calls for skinnier girls is not all wrong. Models stay skinny by working out and monitoring their diet. The media shows us that the fit healthy girl is attractive, and that is not wrong.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alexis when she tells us not to give in to the media, but at the same time not every skinny person is anorexic.
Everyone on here said that the media is wrong for wanting girls who are skinny, but there is nothing wrong with being thin if you are healthy.