Social media plays an important role in the communication of cultural stereotypes about body image. It influences the perception of what an ideal feminine or masculine body should look like. By creating unattainable body ideals, the general well-being and mental health of individuals, particularly youth, are often compromised. Several studies have identified that increased exposure to thin-ideal media images can increase women’s dissatisfaction with their own bodies and cause negative effects. Media exposure predicts body dissatisfaction, eating disorder, thin body ideal in people across the gender spectrum (Harrison and Hefner 2006).

Despite decade-long social activism to increase gender equality, internalization of thin-idealized female beauty is creating social constraints on gender roles, assisting in gender stereotypes over time. Due to these beauty standards, girls often learn to self-objectify and focus on attending to outward appearances rather than inner qualities; and are more concerned about their physical appearances. Some of these ideals root from social and cultural forces including pressure to conform to socially defined standards of physical attractiveness, peer influence, ideological representations of beauty, media depictions and son on (Perloff, 2014). 

What is Low Body Confidence and How Can we Recognize it?

Low body confidence occurs when a person holds themselves back from activities they enjoy due to their perception of the way they look. It is characterized by a lack of confidence and constantly feeling bad about themselves. This oftentimes causes a person to face rejection or disapproval in their activities. It was observed that low body confidence can affect students’ academic performances in school. In later life, 17% of women claimed that they won’t go to a job interview and 8% would miss their job if they feel uncomfortable with their appearance (Dove, 2016). 

Recognizing low body confidence is hard and it is even harder to address it.  However, some of the common traits are constant complaints about skin color, body shape, weight, and concerns about one’s looks. We often see people being bullied in schools by their peers; they also receive comments about their complexion, weight, and body shape from relatives and family members. This often creates a long-lasting impact on a person and holds a person from reaching his/her full potential.  

Although social media plays a huge role in creating body image concerns in a person it can also help young people adopt healthier body images and resist pressure to engage in dysfunctional habits related to disordered eating.  Social media campaigns designed to reach young adults and change their attitudes and spread awareness about relevant topics can prove to be immensely helpful. These campaigns along with the potential of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other networking sites can influence beliefs and attitudes. 

 

References 

  1. Tiggemann, M., & Zaccardo, M. (2015). “Exercise to be fit, not skinny”: The effect of fitspiration imagery on women’s body image. Body Image, 15, 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.06.003
  2. Perloff, R. (2014). Social Media Effects on Young Women’s Body Image Concerns: Theoretical Perspectives and an Agenda for Research. Sex Roles, 71(11-12), 363-377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-014-0384-6
  3. https://www.dove.com/ca/en/dove-self-esteem-project/help-for-parents/respecting-and-looking-after-yourself/what-is-low-body-confidence.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhZT9BRDmARIsAN2E-J0h5z00mrFenQWgqqwWPa5ZbuC8uJFERrEGaipxrqZ6r6gL9Fu-y14aAo1KEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds