This is a fantastic site which shows how barbies are creating an anorexic image and how its inflencing children in a wrong way.
" BARBIE, THAT plastic icon of all things pink, blond and clueless, has appointed herself guardian of girls' ambitions.
Mattel's new ad campaign for the much-maligned doll is trading in her anorexic image for neofeminist slogans and heartwarming rhetoric. What's a feminist to make of it?
The black-and-white series—which appeared earlier this year on phone booths and billboards in New York City—features portraits of rough, tough girls with hockey sticks and wind-whipped hair. Slogans like "Girls rule" and "Be anything" are clearly gleaned from the feminist-inspired girls' movement. A small pink logo in the corner reads, unobtrusively, "Barbie." "
"But it's too late for Mattel to change Barbie's status as an insta-symbol of everything that's wrong with our culture's well-worn images of femininity and beauty. Unless, of course, they deliver a fleet of Barbies with cellulite fat asses, nappy hair, big noses, and voiceboxes that discuss the inherent flaws of dolls as role models at the pull of a string.
Ads telling girls they can "be anything" or "become your own hero" are only wrapping the Mattel message —buy our products now! —in a vaguely girl-positive package.
And getting self-esteem from a company that brought us aerobics instructor Barbie is about as easy as squeezing the Share-a-Smile Becky doll's wheelchair through the too-small doorway of the Dreamhouse."
Monday 23 July 2007
Advertising effecting young childrens body image
This article just shows how advertising effects young girls before they are 17 and what effects they even have after 17 also how girls and boys toy commercials are about appearance. This site slearly shows how easily young children can be influenced and how much of am impact advertising has on them.
''The average woman sees 400 to 600 advertisements per day,4 and by the time she is 17 years old, she has received over 250,000 commercial messages through the media.5 Only 9% of commercials have a direct statement about beauty,6 but many more implicitly emphasize the importance of beauty--particularly those that target women and girls. One study of Saturday morning toy commercials found that 50% of commercials aimed at girls spoke about physical attractiveness, while none of the commercials aimed at boys referred to appearance.7 Other studies found 50% of advertisements in teen girl magazines and 56% of television commercials aimed at female viewers used beauty as a product appeal.8 This constant exposure to female-oriented advertisements may influence girls to become self-conscious about their bodies and to obsess over their physical appearance as a measure of their worth.''
''The average woman sees 400 to 600 advertisements per day,4 and by the time she is 17 years old, she has received over 250,000 commercial messages through the media.5 Only 9% of commercials have a direct statement about beauty,6 but many more implicitly emphasize the importance of beauty--particularly those that target women and girls. One study of Saturday morning toy commercials found that 50% of commercials aimed at girls spoke about physical attractiveness, while none of the commercials aimed at boys referred to appearance.7 Other studies found 50% of advertisements in teen girl magazines and 56% of television commercials aimed at female viewers used beauty as a product appeal.8 This constant exposure to female-oriented advertisements may influence girls to become self-conscious about their bodies and to obsess over their physical appearance as a measure of their worth.''
Disney dolls another big influence on young girls body image
The popular one with children disney which has a great influence on young girls. These dolls are pretty princesses with perfect figures and young girls may think to be a princess they have to look like them.
Bratz adverts effect young girls
These Bratz adverts influence young girls to want to be like them all glamorous with lot's of make up and fashionable clothes also they have skinny perfect figures. The children in the adverts say they want to be like them this has a strong influence on young children who will also try to immitate these dolls.
Wednesday 11 July 2007
Personal opinion
Personal opinion: after reading through these articles and observing my little sister I can see that advertising has huge affects on young children. When you look at an advert you think ''oh that looks nice, im hungry now'' or '' he/she's really good looking wish i could look like them'' that is a normal reaction to adverts. Me myself was anorexic during year 8 and I use to look at these pretty girls in adverts and think I was fat and i was getting ill and very unhealthy at a younger age you generally are more concious about the way you look. Adverts are aimed at certain age groups and they have hidden meanings behind them which want you to purchase that product or influence you to do somthing. At a younger age as your more concious anout the way you look you generally seem to be more influenced by these types of adverts such as food adverts, make up adverts and toy adverts. Looking at Barbie dolls you think they have such lovely figures why cant I look like that?. At a younger age your generally more naieve and fall for these types of adverts even though they may generally not be true. Also young boys that play with figures such as action man with 6pacs and a strong body, they try and copy it. Younger boys are trying to get heqlthier bodies 6pacs at a young age which they shouldnt be worrying about body image, they should be playing with their toys. Childhood is being taken away from these children through advertising there are many sociological views towards this I will research further into this and will publish it into a post thank you.
What is body image?
This site has a definition of body image and I think it relates to my topic so read further and to find out more click on the title thanks.
''Body image refers to the perception of one's own body, based chiefly in comparison to socially constructed standards or ideals.
Humans have the unique ability to form abstract conceptions about themselvesand to gaze at themselves as both the seer and the object being seen. This can cause conflict when the seer places unrealistic demands on him- or herself,especially on his or her own body. As the advertising and film industries bombard the industrialized world with images of idealized beauty, more and moreadolescents are forming negative body images and engaging in self-destructive behaviors to fit an unrealistic ideal.
Children begin to recognize themselves in mirrors in meaningful ways at about18 months and begin perceiving themselves as physical beings in toddlerhood.School-age children are aware of how their bodies look, though relatively few focus an inappropriate amount of attention on them. Ideally, children learnthat their physical appearance is in many ways beyond their control and learn to accept their bodies without judgment. However, children living in the industrialized world are immersed in a culture that creates standards of idealized beauty and then connects those standards to personal worth. Consequently,school-age children can become convinced that they are only worthwhile if they live up to an idealized standard of physical appearance.''
''Body image refers to the perception of one's own body, based chiefly in comparison to socially constructed standards or ideals.
Humans have the unique ability to form abstract conceptions about themselvesand to gaze at themselves as both the seer and the object being seen. This can cause conflict when the seer places unrealistic demands on him- or herself,especially on his or her own body. As the advertising and film industries bombard the industrialized world with images of idealized beauty, more and moreadolescents are forming negative body images and engaging in self-destructive behaviors to fit an unrealistic ideal.
Children begin to recognize themselves in mirrors in meaningful ways at about18 months and begin perceiving themselves as physical beings in toddlerhood.School-age children are aware of how their bodies look, though relatively few focus an inappropriate amount of attention on them. Ideally, children learnthat their physical appearance is in many ways beyond their control and learn to accept their bodies without judgment. However, children living in the industrialized world are immersed in a culture that creates standards of idealized beauty and then connects those standards to personal worth. Consequently,school-age children can become convinced that they are only worthwhile if they live up to an idealized standard of physical appearance.''
Advertising influences on children
This article is excellent it shows how media and advertising has effected children and how easily influenced they are, most important to my topic the website shows how body image and self esteem is effected by advertising. Although this is an American website it relates to children as a whole click on the title to look further into the site thank you.
''According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), "Children are influenced by media–they learn by observing, imitating, and making behaviors their own" (2001, p.1224). The influence of media on children has been the subject of increased attention among parents, educators, and health care professionals. The significance of this issue becomes obvious when one notes the diversity of Americans who share this concern. Included in this group of concerned citizens are those, most notably politicians, who typically stand in opposition to one another on many issues, but who stand together in agreement on this one. Media influence on children has steadily increased as new and more sophisticated types of media have been developed and made available to the American public. Availability, as well as greater affordability for American families, has provided easier access to media for children. Beneficial effects include early readiness for learning, educational enrichment, opportunities to view or participate in discussions of social issues, exposure to the arts through music and performance, and entertainment. Harmful effects may result from sensationalization of violent behavior, exposure to subtle or explicit sexual content, promotion of unrealistic body images, presentation of poor health habits as desirable practices, and exposure to persuasive advertising targeting children.''
''Body image and self-esteem. The third domain, body image and self-esteem, is widely affected by advertising in the media. Researchers have suggested that media may influence the development of self-esteem in adolescents through messages about body image. Television, movies, magazines, and advertisements present images that promote unrealistic expectations of beauty, body weight, and acceptable physical appearance. Efforts to sell an image that adheres to certain standards of body weight and size may be a catalyst for eating disorders suffered by some adolescents. And, when adolescents fall short of their own expectations based on media images, self-esteem can suffer. Media theorists and researchers have determined that the effects of this trend are being seen in both boys and girls, with negative psychological affects. Advertisement of appealing, but often financially unaffordable, clothing and promotion of negative gender stereotypes are other areas of concern. Further research on the connections among media messages, body image, and self-esteem is warranted.''
''According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), "Children are influenced by media–they learn by observing, imitating, and making behaviors their own" (2001, p.1224). The influence of media on children has been the subject of increased attention among parents, educators, and health care professionals. The significance of this issue becomes obvious when one notes the diversity of Americans who share this concern. Included in this group of concerned citizens are those, most notably politicians, who typically stand in opposition to one another on many issues, but who stand together in agreement on this one. Media influence on children has steadily increased as new and more sophisticated types of media have been developed and made available to the American public. Availability, as well as greater affordability for American families, has provided easier access to media for children. Beneficial effects include early readiness for learning, educational enrichment, opportunities to view or participate in discussions of social issues, exposure to the arts through music and performance, and entertainment. Harmful effects may result from sensationalization of violent behavior, exposure to subtle or explicit sexual content, promotion of unrealistic body images, presentation of poor health habits as desirable practices, and exposure to persuasive advertising targeting children.''
''Body image and self-esteem. The third domain, body image and self-esteem, is widely affected by advertising in the media. Researchers have suggested that media may influence the development of self-esteem in adolescents through messages about body image. Television, movies, magazines, and advertisements present images that promote unrealistic expectations of beauty, body weight, and acceptable physical appearance. Efforts to sell an image that adheres to certain standards of body weight and size may be a catalyst for eating disorders suffered by some adolescents. And, when adolescents fall short of their own expectations based on media images, self-esteem can suffer. Media theorists and researchers have determined that the effects of this trend are being seen in both boys and girls, with negative psychological affects. Advertisement of appealing, but often financially unaffordable, clothing and promotion of negative gender stereotypes are other areas of concern. Further research on the connections among media messages, body image, and self-esteem is warranted.''
Advertising how it can be used in both ways
Click on the title to find out how media effects childrens body image by advertising the wrong types of foods and by making children want to eat this kind of ''junk food'' and the same site shows how the same advertising skills can be used to make children eat more healthy and not worry about their body image.
Tuesday 10 July 2007
The reasons behind why children are so concerned about body image
Why are children so concerned about body image?? read on and find out Abigails views and click on the title to find out more. The reason i chose this article is because it shows how easily messeges are trasmitted into childrens heads and how little comments could effect them, so imagine how many effects advertising has on these children.
''- From his viewing chair, a father criticizes a television personality for how fat she looks in her evening gown.
- A brother speaks disparagingly about his girlfriend’s hip size, claiming she needs a “license for the wide-load.”
- The father of a 5 year old tells her jokingly that she will develop a “Buddha belly” if she puts butter on her bread.
- A child states that more important than getting A’s in school is being accepted by the “popular group.” Her parents make no comment.
The vulnerable child is quick to take in and personalize what are otherwise meant to be benign “throw away” comments. Harmful messages get transmitted to children unintentionally, and may result in body image disturbances. As early as the first grade, children are reporting concerns and preoccupation with weight and body shape and begin to restrict food. Camp counselors report 6 and 7 year olds studying nutritional labels on food items as they empty their lunch sacks. A U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services task force reports that 80% of girls in grades 3 - 6 have bad feelings about their bodies, an issue diverting attention from schoolwork and friendships. Preteen boys as well, inspired by the world of sports and television, fret about the inadequacy of their builds, believing that the strength in their muscles or the girth in their chests is more important than intelligence, compassion or emotional well-being.
Believing that outward appearance is a reflection of inner quality, children with body image concerns develop a sense of who they are (physically and emotionally) and how they should behave by internalizing messages about themselves from others. Children lacking self-esteem and who seek acceptance and approval are particularly sensitive and susceptible to the perceptions of parents, family, peers and the media. Body image concerns may be precursors to eating disorders. Even when they do not lead to clinical disease, however, they deserve attention so the child can learn to enjoy a healthful relationship with food.''
''- From his viewing chair, a father criticizes a television personality for how fat she looks in her evening gown.
- A brother speaks disparagingly about his girlfriend’s hip size, claiming she needs a “license for the wide-load.”
- The father of a 5 year old tells her jokingly that she will develop a “Buddha belly” if she puts butter on her bread.
- A child states that more important than getting A’s in school is being accepted by the “popular group.” Her parents make no comment.
The vulnerable child is quick to take in and personalize what are otherwise meant to be benign “throw away” comments. Harmful messages get transmitted to children unintentionally, and may result in body image disturbances. As early as the first grade, children are reporting concerns and preoccupation with weight and body shape and begin to restrict food. Camp counselors report 6 and 7 year olds studying nutritional labels on food items as they empty their lunch sacks. A U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services task force reports that 80% of girls in grades 3 - 6 have bad feelings about their bodies, an issue diverting attention from schoolwork and friendships. Preteen boys as well, inspired by the world of sports and television, fret about the inadequacy of their builds, believing that the strength in their muscles or the girth in their chests is more important than intelligence, compassion or emotional well-being.
Believing that outward appearance is a reflection of inner quality, children with body image concerns develop a sense of who they are (physically and emotionally) and how they should behave by internalizing messages about themselves from others. Children lacking self-esteem and who seek acceptance and approval are particularly sensitive and susceptible to the perceptions of parents, family, peers and the media. Body image concerns may be precursors to eating disorders. Even when they do not lead to clinical disease, however, they deserve attention so the child can learn to enjoy a healthful relationship with food.''
Research methods
The type of research methods I am going to use are quantitaitve and qualitative as I want statistical data and also informative data which will help get more of an understanding about my topic. I am going to use a interviewing method to see what kinds of programs children watch and what they learn from it. I will use primary and secondry data so that I can get my own information and also use information readily availible in books and on the internet. I will consider ethical guidelines when interviewing children to make sure my interview does not have any effects on them. By using thse research methods i will be able to gather useful information regarding my topic.
Saturday 7 July 2007
What do the social issues research centre have to say?
This site states why in the first place children are worried about body image:
''We are all more obsessed with our appearance than we like to admit. But this is not an indication of 'vanity'. Vanity means conceit, excessive pride in one's appearance. Concern about appearance is quite normal and understandable. Attractive people have distinct advantages in our society. Studies show:
Attractive children are more popular, both with classmates and teachers. Teachers give higher evaluations to the work of attractive children and have higher expectations of them (which has been shown to improve performance).
Attractive applicants have a better chance of getting jobs, and of receiving higher salaries. (one US study found that taller men earned around $600 per inch more than shorter executives.)
In court, attractive people are found guilty less often. When found guilty, they receive less severe sentences.
The 'bias for beauty' operates in almost all social situations – all experiments show we react more favourably to physically attractive people.
We also believe in the 'what is beautiful is good' stereotype – an irrational but deep-seated belief that physically attractive people possess other desirable characteristics such as intelligence, competence, social skills, confidence – even moral virtue. (The good fairy/princess is always beautiful; the wicked stepmother is always ugly)
It is not surprising that physical attractiveness is of overwhelming importance to us.''
Also the reasons for why children are so concious about body image in the first place:
''How? 3 reasons:
Thanks to the media, we have become accustomed to extremely rigid and uniform standards of beauty.
TV, billboards, magazines etc mean that we see 'beautiful people' all the time, more often than members of our own family, making exceptional good looks seem real, normal and attainable.''
Click on the title to find out more thank you.
''We are all more obsessed with our appearance than we like to admit. But this is not an indication of 'vanity'. Vanity means conceit, excessive pride in one's appearance. Concern about appearance is quite normal and understandable. Attractive people have distinct advantages in our society. Studies show:
Attractive children are more popular, both with classmates and teachers. Teachers give higher evaluations to the work of attractive children and have higher expectations of them (which has been shown to improve performance).
Attractive applicants have a better chance of getting jobs, and of receiving higher salaries. (one US study found that taller men earned around $600 per inch more than shorter executives.)
In court, attractive people are found guilty less often. When found guilty, they receive less severe sentences.
The 'bias for beauty' operates in almost all social situations – all experiments show we react more favourably to physically attractive people.
We also believe in the 'what is beautiful is good' stereotype – an irrational but deep-seated belief that physically attractive people possess other desirable characteristics such as intelligence, competence, social skills, confidence – even moral virtue. (The good fairy/princess is always beautiful; the wicked stepmother is always ugly)
It is not surprising that physical attractiveness is of overwhelming importance to us.''
Also the reasons for why children are so concious about body image in the first place:
''How? 3 reasons:
Thanks to the media, we have become accustomed to extremely rigid and uniform standards of beauty.
TV, billboards, magazines etc mean that we see 'beautiful people' all the time, more often than members of our own family, making exceptional good looks seem real, normal and attainable.''
Click on the title to find out more thank you.
Jamie Oliver
I chose this article as it promotes ways of keeping a good body image for children by Jamie Oliver and its called ''Body image key to healthy habits'' ''Campaigns promoting healthy eating - such as Jamie Oliver's school dinners initiative - encourage positive body image in teenagers, a study has found.
Ekant Veer at the University of Bath said they were more effective than campaigns telling overweight teens they needed to slim down.
Over 300 obese or overweight school children aged 13 to 18 were studied.
Mr Veer said shows such as Mr Oliver's were an "starting point" for encouraging children to be healthier.
In the study the teenagers were split into two groups, one of which was asked to draw a picture of themselves - subtly leading them to think about their body image.''
Click on Tilte for more of the article thank you.
Ekant Veer at the University of Bath said they were more effective than campaigns telling overweight teens they needed to slim down.
Over 300 obese or overweight school children aged 13 to 18 were studied.
Mr Veer said shows such as Mr Oliver's were an "starting point" for encouraging children to be healthier.
In the study the teenagers were split into two groups, one of which was asked to draw a picture of themselves - subtly leading them to think about their body image.''
Click on Tilte for more of the article thank you.
Body image personal statement by Jennifer Oakes
A personal statement by Jennifer Oakes ''The paper I chose to do relates to body image and well-being in a genuine way. It relates to the young girls in our society that have to deal with the media in their everyday lives. The demonstrates how the media can impact a young girl into feeling self-conscious about herself and cause damage by changing the way she thinks about her own developing body.''The reason i chose this statemnt is because it states how young children especially girls are effected by the media and because of this they feel they have to change their body image. Click on the title to find out more.
Children's body images being effected by adverts
''Media's Effect On Girls: Body Image And Gender Identity
Did you know?
Gender identity begins in toddlerhood (identifying self as a girl or boy) with gender roles being assigned to tasks early in the preschool years (Durkin, 1998).
A child's body image develops as the result of many influences:
A newborn begins immediately to explore what her body feels like and can do. This process continues her whole life.
A child's body image is influenced by how people around her react to her body and how she looks.
A pre-adolescent becomes increasingly aware of what society's standards are for the "ideal body."
Media's Effect on Body Image
The popular media (television, movies, magazines, etc.) have, since World War II, increasingly held up a thinner and thinner body (and now ever more physically fit) image as the ideal for women. The ideal man is also presented as trim, but muscular.''
Click on title to read more from the site .
Did you know?
Gender identity begins in toddlerhood (identifying self as a girl or boy) with gender roles being assigned to tasks early in the preschool years (Durkin, 1998).
A child's body image develops as the result of many influences:
A newborn begins immediately to explore what her body feels like and can do. This process continues her whole life.
A child's body image is influenced by how people around her react to her body and how she looks.
A pre-adolescent becomes increasingly aware of what society's standards are for the "ideal body."
Media's Effect on Body Image
The popular media (television, movies, magazines, etc.) have, since World War II, increasingly held up a thinner and thinner body (and now ever more physically fit) image as the ideal for women. The ideal man is also presented as trim, but muscular.''
Click on title to read more from the site .
Health hazards
''Advertisers of junk food are selectively targeting children and damaging their immediate and future health, say researchers'' Food adverts are also to do with body image as food is a main thing that can change body image especially weight on children. Click on the title to read more about how adverts directed to children are damaging their health.
Wednesday 4 July 2007
What effects advertising has
''42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner.
81% of 10 year-olds are afraid of being fat.
51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls "feel better" about themselves when they're on a diet.
The #1 wish of girls age 11-17 is to lose weight.
9% of 9 year-olds have vomited to lose weight. ''
81% of 10 year-olds are afraid of being fat.
51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls "feel better" about themselves when they're on a diet.
The #1 wish of girls age 11-17 is to lose weight.
9% of 9 year-olds have vomited to lose weight. ''
What body image means
''Personal appearance is very important to most of us. It may influence how we feel about ourselves, how we interact with others, how we tend to our appearance on a daily basis, and what behaviors we practice in order to maintain our image. Our sense of self comes from a combination of how we feel about basic looks and how we react emotionally in certain situations. In other words, there is more to body image than just what we see in the mirror.'' click on the title to find out more about body image.
Glamour adverts
Make up adverts, skinny, pretty young girls do children get influenced by them? The video clip below shows how little girls copy these kinds of adverts.
Not exactly having good effects on young children is it?
what ASA say about advertising
If you click on the title it will show links to what ASA (advertising standards authority) think Television plays a big part about advertising and how it has to be controlled. They have to control adverts as evrything has to have rules, terms and conditions. The question is are adverts still having negative effects on childrens body image even though they are not meant to?!
Below are some views of how people think advertising is effecting children from the ASA site you can find out more if you click on the title it will take you directly to the site...
because most of the children that come through to
us are out in the streets or stuck in front of the television.”
SOCIAL WORKERS/FOSTER PARENTS
“... there seems to be so much arguing and, you know, aggression and violence,
and if these programmes are on when children are around ... though they’re not
actually watching it ... they will be aware of what’s going on in the room and
certainly will take in what’s on the television ...”
SCHOOL STAFF
Toys, merchandising or ‘themes’ considered disruptive were often banned
from nursery or classroom in primary schools, examples including WWF and
Power Rangers.
Some thought football was a negative influence on the primary age group,
because loyalty to one team bred antagonism and aggression towards others, and
because it could encourage anti-social behaviour such as spitting and swearing.
Sometimes pop icons exerted negative influence by overtly acknowledging their
drug culture, as with Oasis and Robbie Williams:
Below are some views of how people think advertising is effecting children from the ASA site you can find out more if you click on the title it will take you directly to the site...
because most of the children that come through to
us are out in the streets or stuck in front of the television.”
SOCIAL WORKERS/FOSTER PARENTS
“... there seems to be so much arguing and, you know, aggression and violence,
and if these programmes are on when children are around ... though they’re not
actually watching it ... they will be aware of what’s going on in the room and
certainly will take in what’s on the television ...”
SCHOOL STAFF
Toys, merchandising or ‘themes’ considered disruptive were often banned
from nursery or classroom in primary schools, examples including WWF and
Power Rangers.
Some thought football was a negative influence on the primary age group,
because loyalty to one team bred antagonism and aggression towards others, and
because it could encourage anti-social behaviour such as spitting and swearing.
Sometimes pop icons exerted negative influence by overtly acknowledging their
drug culture, as with Oasis and Robbie Williams:
The first ever Barbie doll advert
Barbies dont they just have the perfect figures? Young girls playing with them might want to look just like them is this effecting them?
Click on the title above for an excellent advert site.
Advertising
Sorry that i took long to post again the main reason was I didnt know how to use my blog and how to publish posts. During that time I gathered more information about the topic I am interested in at the moment this is what i am considering, I may adapt on it. I have chose advertising as it has many interesting effects on peoples lives. I am going to consider how advertising has effects on childrens body image. If you click on the title advertising it shows some effects on children, this is specifically to do with the topic i am considering.
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