Post by Persuasive Speech on Mar 1, 2009 20:50:59 GMT -5
It was August 2, 2006 when Luisel Ramos, 22, died from a heart attack on the catwalk in Madrid. Ramos died from heart failure after not eating for days. Her death led to the termination of ultra-thin models in Madrid, one of the biggest fashion captials in the world. However, her sister Eliana was also a victim of anorexia. She died just a year later at 18 years old. The issue of the way women are portrayed in the media literally killed the Ramos family. Twenty years ago, the average model weighed 8 per cent less than the average woman- but today's models weight 23 per cent less. I intend to prove in this speech that the image of women in the media is poorly portrayed and is dangerous to society.
When skimming through magazines and watching tv shows young women are constantly under pressure to become thin. The idea of a woman's size is portrayed as thin. A Canadian researcher reports that over three-quarters of the female characters in a tv show are underweight. Girls as young as 5 years old are under the pressure to be thin, according to the Canadian Women's Health Network. The American research group Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders Inc. says, one out of every four college-aged women use unhealthy methods of weight control. If you still think the media doesn't have an effect on women your wrong. Overall research indicates that 90% of women are dissatifsfied with their appearence in some way, according to The Canadian Women's Health Network.
Not only is the physical appearence of a woman changing, her self-esteem also changes due to the image of women in the media. Women are thinking they have to look like models or celebrities to feel accepted. The idea of dieting has also been a huge epidemic in the world. Over the past ten years the number of women on diets has doubled. Maybe because the models keep becoming thinner? The diet industry itself is worth anywhere between 40 to 100 billion dollars, according to BBC News World Edition. Preadolescent girls are also engaging in the diet industry. Nearly half of all preadolescent girls wish to be thinner.
Although many studies have shown that the image of women in the media is bad, many individuals believe it is perfectly fine. People beleive that the look of being thin sets a visual for women to maintain a steady weight. The fashion industry also prefers ultra-thin models due to the high profits the models make displaying their clothing. The fashion industry considers the negative image of models a form of discrimination. "I think its outrageous, I understand they want to set this tone of healthy beautiful women, but what about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer," said Gould, Elite's North America director.
The image of women in the media is poorly portrayed and is dangerous to society. The weight of celebrities and models has influenced the self-esteem of woman and young girls. The diet industry has grown from this concept too. I intend to get involved and start a revolution of healthy women in the media.
When skimming through magazines and watching tv shows young women are constantly under pressure to become thin. The idea of a woman's size is portrayed as thin. A Canadian researcher reports that over three-quarters of the female characters in a tv show are underweight. Girls as young as 5 years old are under the pressure to be thin, according to the Canadian Women's Health Network. The American research group Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders Inc. says, one out of every four college-aged women use unhealthy methods of weight control. If you still think the media doesn't have an effect on women your wrong. Overall research indicates that 90% of women are dissatifsfied with their appearence in some way, according to The Canadian Women's Health Network.
Not only is the physical appearence of a woman changing, her self-esteem also changes due to the image of women in the media. Women are thinking they have to look like models or celebrities to feel accepted. The idea of dieting has also been a huge epidemic in the world. Over the past ten years the number of women on diets has doubled. Maybe because the models keep becoming thinner? The diet industry itself is worth anywhere between 40 to 100 billion dollars, according to BBC News World Edition. Preadolescent girls are also engaging in the diet industry. Nearly half of all preadolescent girls wish to be thinner.
Although many studies have shown that the image of women in the media is bad, many individuals believe it is perfectly fine. People beleive that the look of being thin sets a visual for women to maintain a steady weight. The fashion industry also prefers ultra-thin models due to the high profits the models make displaying their clothing. The fashion industry considers the negative image of models a form of discrimination. "I think its outrageous, I understand they want to set this tone of healthy beautiful women, but what about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer," said Gould, Elite's North America director.
The image of women in the media is poorly portrayed and is dangerous to society. The weight of celebrities and models has influenced the self-esteem of woman and young girls. The diet industry has grown from this concept too. I intend to get involved and start a revolution of healthy women in the media.
