Body Image and the Generational Obsession With It. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Body Image and the Generational Obsession With It.

Let's focus on what our bodies can do, not what they look like.

416
Body Image and the Generational Obsession With It.
http://www.todaystherapist.net/

I believe that weight has never been a more prevalent issue in our society and in each of our individual communities than it is right now. We can’t even go to the grocery store without seeing a plethora of magazines promising us a new “healthy” body by enticing us with flashy language such as “melting,” “watching,” and “shedding” the weight off. We can’t stand with our delicious food moving up the line without seeing at least one “hard hitting” photograph of a healthy celebrity with some kind of caption stating how they are gaining weight, or are too “fat”.

Occasionally, however, there’s the reverse: a healthy slim celebrity deemed “anorexic” or possibly “bulimic” all because of their body type. Unfortunately, there are even some cases where the media and participants shame an individual for losing weight. Such as the case for “plus-size” model Ashley Graham.

Graham made a name for herself as a model for Lane Bryant as a size 18 model and eventually catapulting herself into super stardom shortly thereafter. Garnering millions of followers across the globe for being what society considers, “plus-size”, Graham effortlessly embraced her sexuality on covers such as Sports Illustrated, showing the world that terms such as “sexy” and “hot” didn’t have to exclusively correlate to the thinner looking women that we usually see or think of.

Through social media, she was praised for her weight due to the confidence she exuded on and off the runway, inspiring many young females that they were beautiful just as they were.

Recently, Graham has been wrongly shamed for seemingly losing weight, after posting recent pictures on her Instagram depicting her as having a more svelte figure.

Since her pictures, she has received numerous accusations of “betraying fans”, “conforming to society’s standards”, and “not being comfortable in her own skin”. She has been badgered and harassed on online magazines, papers, blogs, etc., all because she looked seemingly slimmer in a few pictures that she was proud of.

These stories are written in the name of “real” photojournalism. As we sit there waiting in the checkout line for our food, we subconsciously move our hands across our waistline as we read those bright yellow captions. We see the opinions people have in those bright yellow headlines and with each selling issue we see those opinions more and more solidified into fact. We see those unflattering pictures broadcast to the entire public and the more we stare at those pictures of what we thought were healthy celebrities the more they begin to morph into something disgusting and too vile for anyone to like.

All while the food that doesn’t even look that good anyway is being totaled up, we flip through these magazines because we are interested in what else is deemed “terrible” due to those yellow captions being ingrained into our minds and projected through our eyes...becoming the only things we see. The other article next to your favorite actress who you thought was not only talented but beautiful is talking about how she really should count her calories the correct way and have portion control. That article a few pages ahead shows how the new thing is having surgery to morph your natural body type into something more appealing and desired. In today’s generation, it’s the “hourglass”. Women by the masses are paying thousands of dollars for enlarged breasts and buttocks now. All because of a currently temporary trend. Temporary is more than the correct word to use to describe what is going on, just check out the body trends through history:


The next one is how men can get bigger muscles, displaying photos of what the attractive man actually looks like. There's an article telling what women want in men, how they can be seen as “The Boss”, and how men around the world can become more appealing by using tips and tricks…

...because everyone has the ability to be “perfect”.

Once the objects that we have regrettably paid for are at home in our kitchens we stare at them with one hand moving consciously across our stomachs and in the other, a calculator, to count all of those calories that we hesitate to put into our bodies. Unfortunately that hesitation turns into permanent abstaining from eating over the course of what was supposed to be only a few days, but, those days have turned into a few weeks and for some of us those days go on for months. Unfortunately for about 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States these practices will become a full on eating disorder.

For months individuals starve themselves. For months individuals avoid mirrors because they can’t stand looking at themselves, they can't stand the body dysmorphia that is unknowingly taking them hostage. For months individuals avoid going out in public or being seen by their friends all because they are afraid they aren’t society’s idea of “beautiful”. They jeopardize their health, deplete their body of the necessary vitamins, nutrients, and restrict themselves from a natural activity we should have no shame doing. They go to the gym with the intent of over exhausting themselves instead of focusing on physical health. Instead of exercising to challenge themselves, further endurance, or become stronger, these people go because they think they have to. The gym then becomes a tool for self destruction instead of a tool for self improvement.

These individuals could have been or can be the happiest, most kind, genuine people in your community. These individuals could be your friends who, to you, are the most beautiful souls you have ever come across. Yet, they could be hurting so much inside because they don’t think they fit what “beautiful” is. All because of a few comments, captions, headlines, statements, and "journalism".

This is a travesty in our generation that is only gaining more momentum. Our generation has become so fixated on what the perfect body type actually comes down to because they need a standard. They need to compare. They need absolute verification as to what they should be striving for. This is beyond wrong for multiple reasons. People do not have the same body type. We do not have the same 100 percent genetic make up as others do. You could take two people, put them both through the same rigorous training and nutrition regimen and they will still look different. We do not have the same edges, curves, proportions, or muscles, everything is different. We need to encourage people not only to love themselves, but to accept their body type. To not compare ourselves to genes that aren't ours.

Beauty is not a number. Beauty is not dictated by what those flashy and bright yellow captions say. Beauty is not how you look. Beauty is perception. Beauty is what you bless the world with everyday you wake up, simply because you are yourself. Never deprive the world of such a genuinely beautiful gift because you’re the only one who can bestow it.

Let's shift the focus from what our body's look like, to what our body's can do.

Can you sing? Can you run? Can you lift heavy weights? Are you good at obstacles? Flexibility? Dancing? Yoga? Sports? Cooking? What are you interested in? What can your individual, original, one of a kind, body do? Do you workout because you feel you have to or because you want to push your body to see what your unique body can do? Our bodies can surprise us by its hidden talents and skills so do not let what you see discourage you, because your body can do something special.

Do something because you want to not because you think you have to.Let's focus on what we can do so we can inspire others to do the same. That way, we can make positive impacts throughout the world and generations to come. That is what is really important. That is what our generation's obsession should be.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

180250
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

7300
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452517
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23297
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments