Whenever I interact with social media and print media, the overwhelming presence of carefully edited images showcasing the perfect models and celebrities invades my senses. Therefore, images of seemingly flawless perfection, revered to be a standard of beauty, propagate a strong and insidious influence on a broad audience of all backgrounds and origins. Consequently, the impact of mass media on body image and self-esteem is the major focus of concern today, which goes far beyond the age and cultural borders. The prolonged effect of the press establishing and endorsing unrealistic beauty standards has raised concern and the implications of such images for boosting the need to develop a healthier, current, and general approach to beauty. Considering these matters, it is paramount to get on a path of exploration and compromise to ensure mental harmlessness; however, we still need to be conscious of the principles of freedom of expression as media platforms innately have. Using positive communication and joint effort, we can strive for a media environment where people are self-confident and incur excitement and appreciation for the ineffable beauty that lies in each individual.
On the other hand, people who oppose these strict regulations on media content are prone to emphasize the exemplary effects of such policies and the necessity of securing freedom of speech and artistic expression. They argue that this would contradict censorship and violate fundamental rights and freedoms. In their place, they would instead promote a more decentralized model of media consumption, which would involve individuals and parents taking the initiative of controlling and regulating the media they consume. In addition, some critics question the effectiveness of these regulations because they are complex, and the issues they address are also problematic. They claim that if media contents are blocked, the causes, which might be societal pressures and peers of influence that contribute to the misconceptions of beauty and self-worth, are overlooked (Rogerian Argument vs Traditional Argument 1). That is where they recommend a multidimensional approach: apart from promoting educational initiatives and cultural shifts, this approach should aim to increase awareness and acceptance of different body types. Proponents of this perspective argue that to achieve this goal, society should first focus on educating people and then on creating an inclusive culture to build healthier attitudes to body image and self-esteem without resorting to regulations that would limit freedom of expression. However, they say through holistic interventions that tackle the root issues of body image problems, people can eventually make a lasting shift toward positive body perception and general well-being.
Furthermore, freedom of speech and absolute artistic freedom are the concepts that we are partly rooted in when it comes to the controversial impact of mass media on body image. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution constitutes a set of norms that give free speech rights to the associated transmission of opinion and artistic expression via mass media. Moreover, media content sometimes performs the function of a mirror, which shows off the society’s dominant characteristics, the social values that are in vogue at the moment, and vital insignificant details. The ‘fashion’ of media and culture is programmed this way, destroying the possibility of executing essential regulation as a very challenging endeavor. Good intentions may cause such endeavors, but they have the unintentional consequence of putting creativity and variety into decreasing; therefore, carefulness is needed. Deciding how well freedom of expression in the masses can be protected and guaranteeing personal welfare is one of the most important issues one should consider while debating the effect of mass media on body image.
Consequently, any soaring action negotiating this crossroad should ponder the consequences for media depiction and personal identity. Suppose champions advocate for a culture of inclusiveness, originality, and a positive self-image. In that case, the media practice will be transformed into one that adapts to the complex experiences and views of the communities and simultaneously supports the principles of freedom of speech. We can strive for a media sphere that mirrors society and allows individuals to define, accept, and embrace their identities confidently and expressively through cooperative efforts and continued dialogue.
It becomes more vivid to me that an alternative is required because the mass media is used worldwide to manage public opinion on beauty and worthiness. The matter is substantiated by the fact that the influence of mass media cannot be ignored (Rogerian Argument Analysis 1). A significant result of the digital environment’s predisposition to the highly aesthetic standards is vulnerability to negative comments on the noted defects of human appearance, destroying well-being and health. This overemphasis on perfect bodies leads to plenty of undesirable behaviors like anorexia or bulimia, which are the most frequent among the ones with fewer skills to cope with such pressures, for instance, adolescents and young adults. Hence, suggesting cultural growth of the diverse and inclusive beliefs represented in the media narratives can be considered a prerequisite for the momentum of transforming the current situation. While media platforms show diverse identities and body types, these can enable the emerging of their strengths and love of their characteristics and could also build stronger relations with their bodies. Inclusivity will be introduced, which provides more extensive acceptance and acknowledgment of various beauty standards and gives equal treatment and an accepting environment for everyone of different origins or identities. The steps considered at this turn will make us in such a way as we will come to the media system that is one in its diversity and allows for self-portraiture, thus leading us to a society where youngsters are more and more trusted and empowered.
A pragmatic compromise that can be midwived to a result that melts the unbeatable influence mass media has on body image and self-esteem emanates from the collaboration of various players such as mass media companies, policymakers, and mental health advocates. The concealer can be used when focusing on all groups of people in a concerted effort, creating strategies that would limit the negative consequences of media on the perceptions of beauty and self-esteem. The approach that aims to keep the balance, among others, incorporates media literacy programs into the curriculums as one applicable to educational institutions and community structures. The programs aim to develop individuals’ capacities to distinguish fact from media messages. Although the harm caused by the unhealthy beauty standards in the media cannot be prevented entirely, social movements designed to empower individuals to better understand the media and how to survive in it can be established, which will help reduce the substantial damage.
Moreover, self-regulation is an essential element of the culture of self-regulation that is impossible to ignore in the media industry. They can deal with privacy and ethics issues through voluntary codes of conduct and responsible advertising practices. Media outlets could be convinced to practice ethics and diversity in their coverage with stakeholders who advocate their roles. This will create a culture where accountability is valued, and the respectful treatment of body image issues is upheld. This way, the ‘think before act’ approach restrains biased and deceptive media coverage but also brings up a lot of different and organic kinds of beauty. In addition, there is the need for partnership building and engagement of other stakeholders to strengthen the media as a landscape. Open communication and sharing of best practices can allow stakeholders to interact closely and work together to build positivism, self-acceptance, and empowerment among everyone. Such balance would come from a collective activity of people who consider everything, including individual interests and freedom of expression.
Therefore, reaching a consensus regarding the damage of these issues to body image and self-esteem is critical to ensure that our youth are mentally healthy and, to the best of their ability, appreciate themselves as nature intended and remain as they are. Through acknowledging and accepting supporters’ and opponents` legitimate complaints, we can progress towards a compromise style that offers both the benefit of freedom of speech and the better utilization of the people in media on a far more equal and constructive basis. Moving forward, we assign more importance to the long-term cooperation and advocacy of people, which will help us to achieve a more profound change and create an inclusive media environment, affirming and forming the self-image of every individual. Collective effort and continuous dialogue will lead to an empowered and systematically resistant society.
Works Cited
“Rogerian Argument Analysis.” SlideShare, 3 July 2023, www.slideshare.net/WriteMyPaperForMoney1/rogerian-argument-analysis. Accessed 21 Feb. 2024.
“Rogerian Argument vs Traditional Argument | Ipl.org.” Www.ipl.org, www.ipl.org/essay/Rogerian-Argument-Vs-Traditional-Argument-F35A89M428TT.
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