We Need to Talk about Body Image
Body image today is in transition. Not too long ago, videos, advertisements, and celebrities were all about the female form having a certain runway look that was likely something only a very tall, very slim woman could pull off.
Though we have evolved into a generation that is more embracing of the differences mainly in the female form, we still have some residual issues that need to be addressed.
Selling “Beauty”
In adolescence, body image is something that is still susceptible to the pressures of the culture and the media. Young adults seem to be inordinately preoccupied with their bodies, and why wouldn’t they be? The media often displays the perfect form with perfect skin, hair, and clothes with all the right accessories to match.
The intended audience for most popular retail ads is someone in their late teens. It may appeal to both genders as well. The message is one that clearly states that this is what the combination of beauty, sexiness, and popularity looks like. It’s a familiar marketing strategy: how else will you market your jeans or your phone or whatever?
Oscar Wilde once wrote: “Beauty is a form of genius,” and in our postmodern world the media is deliberately selling ‘beauty’ to the emerging adult on very provocative digital platforms.
Young women or men might see this and find these images very alluring, seductive, and even powerful. It is the marketers behind the images who are responding to a culture that is sexually freer to express itself than in any era previously.
The Challenges of Having a Healthy Body Image
Body image is a term that describes who we are on the outside. In adolescence, it is very significant because for many emerging adults in our society the ‘ideal’ is what the media presents in movies, videos, and in the digital realm.
Some young men and women have become inwardly critical of their bodies, and some have become dissatisfied with their external image. Is it any wonder that some of this lack of healthy body image can become a struggle with eating disorders or problems maintaining a healthy weight?
Not at all. Having a healthy body image is very challenging in a postmodern world that worships a certain look 24/7. Some days it is long, lean, and flawless, and some days it is all curves and chaos but all days it is a race towards a perfection that no human can attain.
Embracing Our Bodies as Truly Beautiful
Not conforming to the postmodern world’s standards and embracing the body you have been given challenges the fleeting images that adorn Instagram and TikTok. Adolescents are in a constant state of growth and transition, but when the timing is right, a word fitly spoken with kindness and respect can go a long way. Keeping the lines of communication open is the first step, and having current information about body image and relevant resources to help oneself is a good thing.
Beauty is defined in so many ways within our culture. In some ways, we have embraced different shapes and sizes, but, in the end, it will come down to one thing: am I okay with who I am on the inside as well as the outside? Please don’t hesitate to call us if you are struggling in the area of body image, we are here to help.
About The Author
Sandi Timmer is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC 7006) and a Certified Clinical Partner Specialist candidate. She is supervised by Jeremy Mast, MS, MDiv, LMFT (CA90961) at the Center for Integrative Change. Sandi works with adult men and women and she is also offering counseling services to couples. She is equipped to counsel clients who are struggling with substance or process addictions. Sandi has extensive training for partners experiencing betrayal trauma. She also has experience in supporting survivors of domestic violence and elementary school age children suffering from various academic problems stemming from challenging family systems.
