The Representation of the Female Body

The evidence for the link between media presentation and body image distortion is frequently reviewed by scholars; in particular, the degree of women's use of social comparison and automatic evaluation of body-related images in establishing their self-concept (Watts et al 352). Furthermore, the visual factor contributes to the popularity of magazines. As a result, the exposure of images of women's bodies is enormous. This widespread exposure influences women immensely. There is a bulk of research which demonstrates that media images of ideal female models have an impact on women's self-images and body image evaluation, and consequently leads to dissatisfaction and perceptual distortion. All in all, I would like to argue that media perpetuates the discourse of beauty based on body image and self-representation. Even though such factors as clothing or dieting may seem to be of minor importance, I would like to show how the two aforementioned subjects can reach the audience, and in doing so fulfill the magazine's mission of spreading ideology and increasing sales.