Body image in America, specifically when portrayed in the media, is one of the most outrageously

unhealthy components of people’s everyday lives. These ideas about our bodies, either created by
others or by ourselves, regularly work their way into our thoughts about how we look or how we’re
“meant” to look. The pressure that has been put on people to achieve these unrealistic standards
has only been magnified on social media because of the constant bombardment of influencers
promoting weight-loss products and enforcing this ultimate body shape in general.

One constant in women’s lives is them being told they aren’t good enough. In the media, it seems a
woman’s self-worth is measured by her appearance, and people love to voice their opinion on what
they think a woman should look like. Young women are especially affected by this because of how
present it is in their everyday lives. According to Mirror Mirror, “Over fifty percent of 9 and 10 year-
old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet[...] About 80 percent of girls in this age
group say that they have dieted in an attempt to lose weight.“(1) This outcome seems to be directly
associated with media influencers and the pressure they inadvertently put on young people, notably
around appearance. This issue could be further traced to school dress codes and how restricting
and specific they are.

Likewise, unhealthy expectations of these students and what they’re wearing takes time away from
their education. Often, the “distracting to boys” approach will be used in attempt to impede female
students from “showing too much.” Hearing these things being said by school staff only perpetuates
the stereotype of sexualizing women, making it seem like an okay thing to do. In an article from
neaToday, Shauna Pomerantz from Brock University says this “Is a form of victim-blaming.”(4)
Having clothing standards set by adults who are basically saying “You’re not allowed to dress this
way because no one will take you seriously,” is complete slutshaming and affects these student’s
lives. When comprehensive sex ed and consent isn’t taught, young men turn to objectifying women.*
This is only enforced by the adults around them telling young women not to wear things that are too
revealing. As reported by Stay Teen, “There are 35 states that have laws that allow parents to opt
their children out of sex ed. Even worse, 3 states make parents opt their children into sex ed[…]
Only 13 states require sex education information be medically accurate.”(5) Along with that, CNN
stated, “Only eight states require mention of consent or sexual assault,”(3) in an article last year.
Consent needs to be taught. Consent isn’t just about sex, consent is an important part of everyone's
day to day lives. Maybe someone doesn’t want a hug, maybe someone doesn’t want chips and salsa
right now. People need to understand that means they should not hug that person or get that person
chips and salsa. Keep your chips and salsa to yourself, friend.
*I realize it’s not only young men who objectify and young women who are targeted, but that is the
generalization set by dress code regulations.

“We as a culture, as a society, are obsessed with size. It’s become connected to our identity as
people.”(2) Today’s ideal body shape and size have not always been the optimal, or “it” body. In fact,
“Some of the earliest known representations of a woman's body are the "Venus figurines," small
statues from 23,000 to 25,000 years ago in Europe[...] [These figurines] portray round, pear-shaped
women's bodies[.]”(2) According to Emma McClendon in this CNN article, the 20th century featured
a large shift to people desiring thinner, younger, and more “athletic” looking bodies. The ideal shape
continued to fluctuate throughout the following decades, with the style icons of the time seeming to
steer the ship, but always managed to end up back at “thin.” Having a healthy outlook on your body
has only just become something that more and more people are doing. Many people have shared
this perspective of positive thinking, but with slut shaming, fat shaming, and other intolerable
viewpoints still alive, it’s been difficult for this mindset to gain a following.
Body image in America is constantly evolving, while also having an intensely negative impact on our
lives and the way we see ourselves. With the continuous influence of the media, school dress code,
and the way people have been reverting back to this thin-ideal for years, it seems like body shaming
is something that will be with us for a long time. Thankfully, many people have less gloomy ideas on
body image and how we treat ourselves and their perspectives are gaining well-deserved
recognition.

1. “Home.” Body Image of Women ......Depression, Eating Disorders, Self-Esteem,

www.mirror-mirror.org/body-image-of-women.htm.

2. Howard, Jacqueline. “The Ever-Changing 'Ideal' of Female Beauty.” CNN, Cable News
Network, 9 Mar. 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/03/07/health/body-image-history-of-beauty-
explainer-intl/index.html.

3. Maxouris, Christina, and Saeed Ahmed. “Only These 8 States Require Sex Education
Classes to Mention Consent.” CNN, Cable News Network, 29 Sept. 2018,
www.cnn.com/2018/09/29/health/sex-education-consent-in-public-schools-
trnd/index.html.

4. “When School Dress Codes Discriminate.” NEA Today, 24 July 2018,

neatoday.org/2018/07/24/when-school-dress-codes-discriminate/.
5. “Why Sex Education Is Important.” Stay Teen, stayteen.org/sex-ed/article/why-sex-
education-important.