Beauty…Is it only skin deep? Cultural and Media Messages - Their Affect on Adolescents (Girls) Kelly Schaefer University of Phoenix - EDU 566 June 3, 2009 Kelly Schaefer University of Phoenix - EDU 566 June 3, 2009

Today’s Society (Introduction) kSociety presents adolescents today with many pressures to look good. kTeen beauty is something that affects both girls and boys as they grow to accept themselves. kThe media is full of models and superstars with beautiful faces that add stress to those growing up. kThese societal views and images can be seen daily through ads, musical lyrics, and popular fashion magazines. kSociety presents adolescents today with many pressures to look good. kTeen beauty is something that affects both girls and boys as they grow to accept themselves. kThe media is full of models and superstars with beautiful faces that add stress to those growing up. kThese societal views and images can be seen daily through ads, musical lyrics, and popular fashion magazines.

Magazines and Newsstands kEven with trips to the Walgreen's or the grocery store, magazine’s headline stories about losing weight or the top 10 beauty secrets. kThey feature articles and tips on how to get that perfect “glowing skin” or the latest celeb diets kTeens are subjected to this material just through headlines to look inside and this causes them to think about their own image in comparison to what these articles say. kGetting the “new look” and losing weight in a certain amount of time, encourage young girls to think they should be doing this and that their bodies are not acceptable. kEven with trips to the Walgreen's or the grocery store, magazine’s headline stories about losing weight or the top 10 beauty secrets. kThey feature articles and tips on how to get that perfect “glowing skin” or the latest celeb diets kTeens are subjected to this material just through headlines to look inside and this causes them to think about their own image in comparison to what these articles say. kGetting the “new look” and losing weight in a certain amount of time, encourage young girls to think they should be doing this and that their bodies are not acceptable.

Fashion Models and Actresses kTaller, thinner, and younger kExposed to sexual photo shoots that are displayed for young girls with manipulation to body size and appearance. kPopular television shows such as and Gossip Girl feature teen actresses that weigh less 120 lbs, wear the latest and most expensive clothes, and have blemish free faces. kMany times adolescents don’t take into account the life of these stars and the roles they play. They assume all girls should be this small to famous or popular because these are they type of girls displayed in movies and tv programs. kMovies and television promote the “skinny” image by choosing these type of actresses as the main characters is almost all films. kTaller, thinner, and younger kExposed to sexual photo shoots that are displayed for young girls with manipulation to body size and appearance. kPopular television shows such as and Gossip Girl feature teen actresses that weigh less 120 lbs, wear the latest and most expensive clothes, and have blemish free faces. kMany times adolescents don’t take into account the life of these stars and the roles they play. They assume all girls should be this small to famous or popular because these are they type of girls displayed in movies and tv programs. kMovies and television promote the “skinny” image by choosing these type of actresses as the main characters is almost all films.

Malls and Fashion Stores kManikins, models, and store posters show the perfect, thin, girl that wears that store’s clothing and accessories kStores emphasize small sizes that are 0,2,4,6. Many teen stores run small in sizes so girls feel over weight if they don’t wear their normal size. kMany cosmetic companies in the mall push makeovers and their products on girls who walk by. kPlaces like Glamour Shots, where teens and young women can get their pictures taken with lots of of make-up, hair done up, and sexy outfits show that is okay for girls to take on this image. kManikins, models, and store posters show the perfect, thin, girl that wears that store’s clothing and accessories kStores emphasize small sizes that are 0,2,4,6. Many teen stores run small in sizes so girls feel over weight if they don’t wear their normal size. kMany cosmetic companies in the mall push makeovers and their products on girls who walk by. kPlaces like Glamour Shots, where teens and young women can get their pictures taken with lots of of make-up, hair done up, and sexy outfits show that is okay for girls to take on this image.

Drugstores/Ads kThese ideas stress that the way you look defines who you are as a person. kMaybelline - “maybe she’s born with it” - Gives girls the idea that their makeup can make them look as good as the girls in the ad or famous teens. kPressure girls into thinking they can always look better with their new product. kWeightless products suggest that it is okay to put harmful chemicals into our body that do not really affect our weight or image; they just cost money. kDrugstores sell many over the counter drugs that all ages may buy, which should not be allowed. kThese ideas stress that the way you look defines who you are as a person. kMaybelline - “maybe she’s born with it” - Gives girls the idea that their makeup can make them look as good as the girls in the ad or famous teens. kPressure girls into thinking they can always look better with their new product. kWeightless products suggest that it is okay to put harmful chemicals into our body that do not really affect our weight or image; they just cost money. kDrugstores sell many over the counter drugs that all ages may buy, which should not be allowed.

Social Cognitive Approach kThis approach discusses how people learn to behavior towards each other, that people know what to expect from each other, and how people have a right to personal preference (Rice & Dolgin, 2005). kThe media images and messages my cause adolescents to turn against their parents and wear make-up or revealing clothing, which they see as acceptable from the media. However parents disagree. kAlthough adolescents do weigh personal, moral and social views, the media may over power these and encourage certain types of musical, clothing, and beauty values. kThis approach discusses how people learn to behavior towards each other, that people know what to expect from each other, and how people have a right to personal preference (Rice & Dolgin, 2005). kThe media images and messages my cause adolescents to turn against their parents and wear make-up or revealing clothing, which they see as acceptable from the media. However parents disagree. kAlthough adolescents do weigh personal, moral and social views, the media may over power these and encourage certain types of musical, clothing, and beauty values.

Cognitive Development Theories kA child’s gender is determined at birth and from then on they learn to do what is socially acceptable for boys or girls. kFrom this point on, gender influences how adolescent's feel about themselves and how others see them(Rice & Dolgin, 2005). iThis is impacted by the media because they display a perfect body image and ways men or women should look. kCultures establish gender identities that cause boys and girls to feel like need to meet this beauty expectations. kGender stereotypes them form and that is how magazine ads and articles about makeup and losing weight target adolescents growing up who want to fit it and be beautiful. kA child’s gender is determined at birth and from then on they learn to do what is socially acceptable for boys or girls. kFrom this point on, gender influences how adolescent's feel about themselves and how others see them(Rice & Dolgin, 2005). iThis is impacted by the media because they display a perfect body image and ways men or women should look. kCultures establish gender identities that cause boys and girls to feel like need to meet this beauty expectations. kGender stereotypes them form and that is how magazine ads and articles about makeup and losing weight target adolescents growing up who want to fit it and be beautiful.

Gender Schema Theory kA gender theory that emphasizes the stages of labeling, attention, and interest. (Rice & Dolgin,2005) kThis causes children to pay more attention to gender- appropriate objects and behaviors kThe media in turn gets their attention through beauty products, magazine articles, and famous actors and actresses. iThis theory impacts adolescents by suggesting to them that what they are presented with in society, through television, and is movies is the ideal beauty and body. kA gender theory that emphasizes the stages of labeling, attention, and interest. (Rice & Dolgin,2005) kThis causes children to pay more attention to gender- appropriate objects and behaviors kThe media in turn gets their attention through beauty products, magazine articles, and famous actors and actresses. iThis theory impacts adolescents by suggesting to them that what they are presented with in society, through television, and is movies is the ideal beauty and body.

Impact on Adolescent Development I think that media sends negative messages to adolescents about beauty. They are constantly subjected to adds, sayings, and articles about using products to become beautiful or new diets that will give them the perfect weight. Adolescents already have live up to their peers judgment and acceptance and then the media adds a whole new image that they want to achieve. These messages leave both girls and boys feeling not good enough and so insecure that they have no self-esteem. Not only does it become a mental struggle for some teens to be beautiful and perfect, but also a physical problem that leads to eating disorders and depression. The normal and true beauty look is no longer embraced be media. They encourage young members of our society that we must weigh a certain amount and use certain beauty products to accepted and loved, which is the opposite of how we want our adolescents to feel. As teachers we need to encourage our students to love themselves for who they are accept their natural born beauty!

Conclusion In today’s society, the media plays an important role in shaping the ideas and thoughts about beauty of many adolescents, especially girls. These ideas have caused an increase in depression, loss of self-esteem, and unhealthy eating habits of teens across the country. It is rare to see an ad or article that appreciates the “normal” woman figure. This leads to to girls comparing themselves to others and the want and need to impress the opposite sex. Although my presentation centered on female’s, males are also subjected to these beauty images and ideas. Large, muscular men emphasize male dominance. A lot of adolescent males are subjected to rigorous workout routines and steroid abuse to obtain this body type. In today’s society, the media plays an important role in shaping the ideas and thoughts about beauty of many adolescents, especially girls. These ideas have caused an increase in depression, loss of self-esteem, and unhealthy eating habits of teens across the country. It is rare to see an ad or article that appreciates the “normal” woman figure. This leads to to girls comparing themselves to others and the want and need to impress the opposite sex. Although my presentation centered on female’s, males are also subjected to these beauty images and ideas. Large, muscular men emphasize male dominance. A lot of adolescent males are subjected to rigorous workout routines and steroid abuse to obtain this body type.

References Dolgin, K. G., & Rice, P.F. (2005). The Adolescent: Development, Relationships, and Culture, (11 th ed). Chapter8: Self-Concept, Identity, Ethnicity, and Gender. Retrieved from Reader.h Reader.h Dolgin, K. G., & Rice, P.F. (2005). The Adolescent: Development, Relationships, and Culture, (11 th ed). Chapter14: The Development of Moral Values. Retrieved from Reader.h Reader.h Dolgin, K. G., & Rice, P.F. (2005). The Adolescent: Development, Relationships, and Culture, (11 th ed). Chapter8: Self-Concept, Identity, Ethnicity, and Gender. Retrieved from Reader.h Reader.h Dolgin, K. G., & Rice, P.F. (2005). The Adolescent: Development, Relationships, and Culture, (11 th ed). Chapter14: The Development of Moral Values. Retrieved from Reader.h Reader.h