There is no denying that beauty standards have changed drastically over the years and continue to do so at an alarming rate. Today’s society is fixated on perfection, which is simply unattainable. This unrealistic standard of beauty is damaging to both men and women and harms self-esteem and body image. The media is largely responsible for perpetuating these unrealistic standards of beauty. Photoshopped images of models and celebrities are everywhere and it is getting harder and harder to escape them. We are bombarded with these images daily and it’s no wonder that so many people are unhappy with their appearance. Seeing perfect-looking images of other people can be very damaging.
Other than the unrealistic “facial beauty” standards that are set, there are even more unrealistic, body standards. The standards for what is considered an “ideal” body type have changed drastically over time and continue to do so. The unrealistic expectation that women (and increasingly, men) must maintain a certain level of physical perfection has led to unhealthy habits and disorders for many people. Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are often rooted in a person’s insecurity about their body and a desperate desire to meet unrealistic standards. Orthorexia, another disorder, is characterized by an obsession with healthy eating to the point of it interfering with one’s life. People with this disorder often miss out on important social events, work, and school to focus on their diet. The pressure to have a perfect body can also lead to unhealthy habits such as crash dieting, over-exercising and using unhealthy methods of weight loss such as purging and taking laxatives. These habits can lead to serious health problems, physical and mental. In some cases, can even be life-threatening.
Let’s be real here, it’s no secret that influencers often promote unrealistic body standards online. Whether they’re sharing photos of themselves with perfect skin and bodies or talking about the latest diet pills they’re trying, celebrities send a message that we all need to look a certain way. While there’s nothing wrong with striving to be healthy, the pressure to look perfect can be damaging to our self-esteem and overall well-being. It’s time for celebrities to start promoting healthy body standards instead of unattainable ones. We need to see more unedited photos of celebrities and hear about their imperfect journey to health, not just the cookie-cutter result.
On a positive note, the “body positivity” movement has been gaining traction in recent years, as more and more people are speaking out against the unrealistic and harmful standards of beauty that are perpetuated by the media. That being said, a plethora of fashion companies have started to change up the line-up of their models, making them more diverse. Diversity means hiring a large spectrum of models, with different skin tones and weights. Having diverse models allows for a more accurate representation of the world. It gives people the opportunity to see themselves in the media and to feel represented or included. Additionally, it helps to break down stereotypes and barriers between different groups of people.
Remember, it’s easy to get caught up in the world of social media and forget that the majority of what we see is not an accurate representation of reality. Although social media can be a great way to connect with friends, family and make real money online casino, it’s important to note that the majority of what is shared is filtered and edited to present the best version of someone’s life. The next time you find yourself feeling down after scrolling through your feed, remember that what you’re seeing is not the whole story.
Social media is not real life, people only share the best moments of their lives online.