The document discusses various issues related to body image pressures faced by women. It covers how women are expected to obtain an unrealistic "perfect" body image through daily struggles. Increased technology and social pressures shape perceptions of beauty, often defined by whiteness. Women of color face pressure to whiten their skin. Natural hair is also stigmatized. Cosmetics have little regulation and surgery comes with health risks, yet bullying can drive women to make changes. Mass media distorts reality and sells insecurity to young audiences. Healthy body sizes are normal but eating disorders are becoming more common in response to these issues. A balanced lifestyle and self-acceptance are encouraged instead of obsessive dieting or calorie counting.

1. Body Images
By Jessica DeAmicis

2. Criticism Continuum
• Women go through
the daily struggle to
perfect their
appearance
• Are expect to be
presentable at all
times
• Given the illusion
there is a “perfect”
image to obtain

3. Perception and Performance
• Increased
technology is
shaping and
reshaping our image
as women
• Often judged by
family, friends,
coworkers and etc.
about our body
image
• It can be hard to
accept the body we
have

4. The Color of Beauty
• Beauty is embraced
by color: the white
ideal
• Women of color all
around the world
whiten their skin to
try and achieve
“beauty”
• Women risk potential
harm to their body to
change the color of
their skin

5. Natural Hair
• Pressure is put on women
to have perfect straight,
silky, soft hair
• Natural hair should be
embraced
• Women of color and
certain ethnic
backgrounds struggle with
the dilemma
– To keep their natural hair
or use all sorts of
chemicals to change them
into “beauty”

6. More Products, Less Regulation
• Cosmetics,
fragrances and
toiletries have little
regulation on the
components that
make them
• Some components
can pose a health
risk
• Important to know
expiration dates on
cosmetics

7. Cosmetic Surgery
• The pressure to
accomplish complete
beauty, women change
their body parts
• These procedures can
damage the body more
than help if used
improperly
• Bullying and judgment
can influence a women
to change a slight
imperfection

8. Media Distortion
• The consumption
of naked bodies
on all types of
mass mediums
can alter our
reality of real life
• Can alter self-
esteem in women
in their future
relationships and
careers

9. Designer Vaginas
• Women are
influenced to have
perfect vaginas
• After labor, many
contemplate getting
surgery to tighten
up the muscles and
organs to please
their significant
other

10. Selling Insecurity
• Mass mediums reel in
tweens and teens
• They are influenced at
a young age of the
perfect body figure
• Leads to self esteem
issues and health
scares in young ages
• Companies such as
Teen Vogue and even
Walt Disney corrupt
teens minds into self
conscious individuals

11. Fat is Normal
• Puberty naturally
brings an increase
in fat for women
• This increase in
fat is crucial for
menstruation and
child bearing

12. Eating Disorders
• Becoming more
prominent in younger
ages due to the more
technology created
• Primary prevention:
– Teaching skills for
healthy nutrition and
body acceptance
– Leadership and media
literacy skills
– Range of coping skills
for resisting unhealthy
cultural messages

13. Healthy at Any Size
• Encourage women to
stop focusing on body
size and body weight
and instead:
– Accept and respect
the natural diversity
of body sizes and
shapes
– Eat in a flexible
manner than values
pleasure and honors
internal cues of
hunger, satiety and
appetite
– Find joy in moving
one’s body and
becoming more
physically vital

14. Building a Better Body Image
• The obsession with
having the perfect body
not only hinders the
physical aspect of a
person but it ruins the
thought of living a vivid
and fulfilling life
– Forget what we enjoy
doing
– Lose sight of our passions
– Need to stay away from
obsessing over calorie
counting and over
exercising and embrace a
healthy lifestyle

15. Quote that stuck out
• “59.7 billion a year on diets that fail majority
of the time”
It’s interesting because people are so obsessed
with dieting when that isn't the answer to a
healthy life. Eating balanced meals with
moderation of unhealthy items and exercising
regularly will lead to a successful healthy
lifestyle. Being fit and healthy isn't just a diet
and you stop it, it’s a way of life you need to
adjust.

16. Discussion Question
What are your thoughts on the exposure
young children are getting regarding the
perfect image/body?