The infatuation with pop culture and all things celebrity has lead to an increase in following figures of the media and often times these people are thin, because if they are not they are harshly criticized. The reality of the photos is that Photoshop was heavily used and most of the time we do not realize that the finished product is far from accurate. Also, the reality is that often times the people in the photo have the means and the time to engage in fad diets, juice cleanses, personal trainers, cosmetic procedures, and professionals that edit and enhance the photos.
These kinds of photos encourage me to place more emphasis on my appearance. When people are constantly very thin and seemingly flawless it creates a notion of perfection, which I think we all subconsciously strive for. These photos create something we compare ourselves to which has definitely affected me. The positive attention and feedback that the media gives to people like those portrayed in these photos creates a standard that shapes the way I think of how I should be. For example, the media is constantly making comments like, “So-and-so lost 15 pounds and looks amazing.” The constant focus on losing weight, being skinny, and staying fit is reinforced by the criticism that arises when celebrities gain weight or do not look a certain way. Because of this, the media has definitely shaped my thinking of what I should strive to attain in terms of my body’s appearance.
As a society, I think there needs to be a collaborate effort from all aspects of the media to announce that photos have been photo-shopped so that we are aware of the fact that the photos are portraying something that is not natural and is definitely not the norm. We need to all realize that the bar for women has been set unrealistically high by the role models people have today and that the deck has been stacked against the modern woman. We also need to collectively realize that what you see in the media is not reality.