Introduction
The evolution of clothing styles is perpetual, and teenagers’ interest in clothing trends is nothing new. The way we conceive of and define fashion is constantly evolving. Teenagers’ reactions to this trending style are complicated (Rees-Roberts et al., 2020). In most cases, peer pressure plays a significant role in determining the decisions teenagers make regarding their appearance, the kind of friends they interact with, the use of drugs and substances, and their academic performance. Therefore, their fashion preferences vary depending on an individual’s personality of influence by others. This means teenagers can select a particular dress code to avoid peer embarrassment. Most feel that dressing cheaply or poorly may put off the friends they hang out with and lower their self-esteem. As a result, they do shopping tours and seek advice from their friends on how to dress for various occasions such as birthday parties.
Most adolescents have their personal sense of style shaped by the peers they spend the most time with. For most teenagers, social acceptance is a top priority. Most people imitate popular styles to boost their sense of self-worth. Teenagers rely on clothing trends for social support and confidence building. Therefore, the influence of media on teen fashion plays a significant role, especially with increased social media or digital platforms. However, the information can promote unhealthy habits among teenagers due to uncontrolled content on different social media platforms. The majority want to associate with media celebrities and imitate their behavior, which influences their fashion choice. Therefore, this essay will discuss how media negatively impacts teens’ fashion choices and also the positive impacts. Also, using hegemony, cultural commodity, and critical media studies as lenses, this essay will examine the media’s influence on teen fashion from various angles. The paper also recommends effective ways of promoting fashion that promotes positive outcomes among teenagers.
Argument 1
Although media plays a significant role in shaping the fashion industry, it promotes unreachable and unrealistic fashion standards among teenagers regarding their physical appearance, sense of fashion, or overall body image. Teenagers come from different backgrounds, defining their lifestyle as they grow up. Those who lack adequate resources or support may feel compelled to comply with a particular kind of life which may subject them to mental health challenges. Their self-esteem also goes down, and they also lose their self-value. Through the media, they can access different pictures showing the latest fashion styles and trends using different sources, including print periodicals, social media platforms, and different programs of televisions. This means the media tends to propagate a specific ideology regarding what constitutes attractiveness in fashion and style (Tiggemann, 2022). The media portrays idealistic visions regarding fashion and beauty, which most teenagers cannot achieve. The teens want to live to the propagated ideas to fit into the expected living standards among their counterparts. The idea, however, only gave false information as it is a business idea and meant for only a specific category of individuals. Therefore, teens should always get advice on effective ways of associating with their fellow teenagers even when they cannot meet the expected standards. Media plays a significant role in examining the cultural beliefs of particular groups and the standards that shape the lifestyles of people in that particular region using the ideal hegemony.
Often, the media will give a limited perspective on beauty and fashion controlled by a select number of influential persons and corporations. This results in forming a hegemonic culture that promotes the notion that particular aesthetics and modes of dress are more admirable than others. Also, the media uses the majority of fashion and beauty industries to purchase or sell commodities to generate income. Therefore, the idea feeds the teens with information that they should regularly purchase particular fashion and beauty commodities for remaining attractive. Such a culture also keeps updating the most recent trends in fashion and beauty, such as new clothes, accessories, and make-up. As a result, most teenagers purchase commodities they do not need to compare themselves with their friends or classmates(Tiggemann, 2022). They mismanage their finances which can as well push them to get involved in immoral behaviors to have their needs catered for.
Argument 2
Media representation of fashion can negatively impact teenagers’ self-esteem and body image. Most fashion and beauty industries use social media platforms for advertising their brands to attract potential customers. Most such promotions promote thin body model physiques, which means that thin-bodied people are more advantageous than others. As a result, some teenagers with big bodies may hate themselves and have low self-esteem as they hate their body looks. According to the cultural commodity notion, fashion is promoted to customers as a commodity that can bring them closer to an idealized version of themselves. The idealized nature of customers represents the “Ideal self” (Tiggemann, 2022). The teenagers cannot conform to the high fashion standards as their counterparts struggle with inadequacy feelings. They also feel insecure as they cannot attain the expected standards. The standards could be more realistic and achievable. The hegemonic nature of fashion creates a particular norm accepted by the involved society making it difficult to go against such norms. As a result, the teens who cannot comply with such norms develop a notion of being outdated, and they feel uncomfortable while interacting with their peers. For example, most modeling industries use tall and slender models to advertise and represent their brands that cannot meet most teenagers’ standards. Due to the prevalence of pictures of skinny models in movies, television shows, and social media platforms aimed at teenagers, these young people have unrealistic body standards. According to Nelson et al. (338), exposure to thin idealized models in advertising can cause a negative body image, particularly in females.
Counter- argument
Media use can help enhance positive body image among teenagers by promoting inclusion in fashion. As a result, teenagers’ confidence and self-esteem increase (Rodgers et al., 2021). The idea of inclusivity means that media is not merely a singular entity, but it holds different values and opinions regarding fashion. Currently, most media platforms use fashion labels and ideas that focus on promoting diversity and positivity among different people. For instance, advertising companies use models of different sizes, body types, and ethnic backgrounds. As a result, the teenagers can identify with the category that fits them without feelings of intimidation. As a result, they maintain the power to remain confident and boost their self-esteem.
For instance, using the recent releases of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Everything Everywhere All at Once, both of which include Asian American lead performers, we can consider it as a step to depiction and diversity in the media. These movies include a varied cast and encourage diversity in fashion by showcasing traditional and modern designs influenced by Asian cultures. Still, the movies provide a variety of fashions, and the teenagers who see themselves reflected in media may enjoy and experience a greater sense of reception and self-assurance concerning their cultural uniqueness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the media’s influence on teen fashion is multifaceted. Media may inspire and encourage young fashionistas. However, it can promote unhealthy beauty standards and consumerism. Critical media studies show how enormous ideological and hegemonic forces drive the fashion industry, prioritizing profit over people and the earth. Advertisements, social media influencers, and fashion bloggers contribute to these dominant cultural narratives, which young people may find hard to reject. Cultural commodity illustrates how fashion is often seen as a commodity rather than a means of creative expression or cultural identity. Young people may prioritize brand names and status symbols over sustainability, ethical production, and uniqueness in their fashion choices. Individuals and society must critically and reflectively consume fashion and media to overcome these concerns.
In a constantly changing digital landscape, fashion and media must prioritize young people and the globe. By challenging the dominant cultural narratives that drive the fashion industry and encouraging more inclusive and ecological alternatives, we can make fashion a vehicle of self-expression and creativity rather than anxiety and environmental devastation. For instance, schools should educate critical media literacy skills, including the capacity to assess and criticize fashion and beauty media messages. This could help young people better grasp the media’s influence and minimize the temptation to conform to artificial beauty standards. Media producers and fashion sector leaders might seek to depict more body kinds, skin tones, and cultural backgrounds. This could contradict media beauty norms and give young people more good role models. Encouraging young people to buy secondhand garments or supporting firms with eco-friendly strategies could minimize the fashion industry’s environmental effects and promote more ethical consumerism. Finally, fashion may help young people express themselves and be creative. Instead of focusing only on the media’s adverse effects, we can help young people find their style and identity through fashion. This might include more fashion design competitions, blogs, and DIY projects for young people.
References
Everything Everywhere All at Once. (2022). [Film]. A24, Russo Brothers Studio.
Nelson, S. L., Harriger, J. A., Miller-Perrin, C., & Rouse, S. V. (2022). The effects of body-positive Instagram posts on body image in adult women. Body Image, 42, 338-346.
Rees-Roberts, N. (2020). After fashion film: social video and brand content in the influencer economy. Journal of Visual Culture, 19(3), 405-421.
Rodgers, R. F., Paxton, S. J., & Wertheim, E. H. (2021). # Take idealized bodies out of the picture: A scoping review of social media content aiming to protect and promote positive body image. Body Image, 38, 10-36.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. (2021). [Film]. Marvel Studios.
Tiggemann, M. (2022). Digital modification and body image on social media: Disclaimer labels, captions, hashtags, and comments. Body Image, 41, 172-180.
Hayward, J. (2023, March 30). Who upholds beauty standards: The media, or its audience? Medium. https://medium.com/modernidentities/who-upholds-beauty-standards-the-media-or-its-audience-3944b76b2fc3
Pascual, K. (2020, August 11). Body positivity and inclusivity in marketing campaigns. Unlimited Graphic Design Service. https://penji.co/body-positivity-marketing/
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