My daughter tells me I should avoid citing studies in my blog posts. "They're boring, Mom," she says, telling the truth like only an almost-13-year-old can. But the journalist in me can't help it; studies are usually the springboard for digging deeper into a juicy health topic.
Like this one: You may have heard about the recent study by University of Southern California Professor Julie Albright, which found that makeover shows that promote plastic surgery, such as "Extreme Makeover" and "Dr. 90210," make women feel more anxious about their bodies. The study, "Impossible Bodies," surveyed 662 college students in Los Angeles and Buffalo about their viewing habits and body image. "Women are being taught to access power and status through their looks," Albright is quoted as saying.
That's not exactly news, is it?
As I was reading the news release on the study, my daughter happened to pop into my office and peer over my shoulder. "Not another study," she sighed.
"Well," I said. "Let me ask you. We like to watch America's Next Top Model and What Not to Wear. How do you feel after we watch those shows?"
"I feel jealous," she said.
"Really?" I asked, leaning forward and bracing for the impact of a major body image revelation. "Why?"
"Because they have $5,000 to spend on clothes and I don't," she said.
There you have it...straight from the source.
When I finished laughing and shooed her out of my office, it got me thinking. Can a TV show really make you feel bad about your body? We're all watching TV shows, reading magazines and poring over online content through our own personal body image lens. If you're already unhappy with your looks, I'm sure these shows could make you feel worse. But if you're generally happy?
The key, I firmly believe, is to teach our girls -- and ourselves -- how to filter what we see and read. An understanding of digital retouching and staging for dramatic effect needs to be part of our media mindset. And, as always, so does lots of talking about this stuff.
On another media-related note, have you all been following this hoopla over Jessica Simpson and her pants?
Must have been a slow news day.
I think celebrities are held to a higher standard because they appear to have the money and time to spend on personal trainers and PR people to dress them.
Posted by: SeaBreeze | 01/28/2009 at 12:15 PM
Right now I'm growling over the "how does Jessica Simpson look" reader's opinions and all that. If someone started a survey about some random friend on FaceBook asking "do you think this person looks better after gaining/losing ___ lbs" we'd all be horrified, but if that happens to a celebrity? That's just the norm. It's cruel and unnecessary and rude.
Sorry for the rant. Back to your post...
I think you made a great point about how we might feel differently if we're unhappy to begin with. If we're happy in the beginning, then seeing those images probably don't have much of an affect on us.
PS I disagree with your daughter about the studies (bring them on!) but I'm totally with her on wanting that $5,000 to spend on clothes :)
Posted by: Sagan | 01/28/2009 at 08:18 PM
Great post! I love your daughters take on these things! So funny!
I really try to stay away from all these reality tv shows in general, they seem very self-depreciating and I just can't be a part of that. I do, however, wonder the same thing, as I have a little niece who is very impressionable (as they are all are at age 4) but I pray that something/one grabs the media by the arms and shakes them all violently to stop this nonsense! ok, rant over...
btw-- thanks for your comment on my guest post over at mizfit today. Glad to hear that your core is hard at work for ya!
take care ~rupal
Posted by: Rupal | 01/29/2009 at 11:35 AM
I think you're right, SeaBreeze. Celebrities are held to a different standard. Sagan, I'm glad to find a fellow "study nerd." :-) Rupal, thanks for stopping by -- it's great to see you here!
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