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?
