Whether through fashion, music videos, movies, magazines, video games or TV, today’s youth are bombarded daily with images of impossibly thin, fit, beautiful young people. The underlying marketing message is that there is a link between physical beauty and popularity, success, and happiness. Pressure to meet manufactured – and unattainable – standards of attractiveness can have real consequences that include low self-esteem, depression, bullying, eating disorders and body dissatisfaction.
Media Awareness Network offers several resources that help young people become more aware of the impact of media on their own self-esteem and body image.
Lessons
Prejudice and Body Image (Grades 3-7)
This lesson familiarizes students with the ways in which the media affects perceptions of, and feelings towards, body image.
The Anatomy of Cool (Grades 4-7)
This lesson helps students become more aware of the media's role in determining what characteristics, and what people, are perceived as being "cool."
Image Gap (Grades 5-8)
This lesson increases awareness of their own self-image and offers a problem-solving approach to examples of negative self-image.
Mirror Image (Grades 5-8)
This lesson encourages students to reflect on how they feel about their bodies, and it suggests ways for them to deal with aspects of their body image they would like to change.
Gender Stereotypes and Body Image (Grade 6-7)
This lesson makes students aware of the dangers of gender stereotyping and the media's role in perpetuating gender stereotypes.
The Price of Happiness (Grades 8-12)
This lesson looks at the ways in which advertising presents images of men and of women.
Kellogg Special K Ads (Grades 9-12)
In this lesson students explore body image and advertising using the Kellogg's Special K "look good on your own terms" advertising campaign.
Teachable Moments and Classroom Activities
Real Beauty in Magazines
Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty
Portrayal of Teenage Girls in Magazines
Backgrounders
Body Size Introduction
Some Myths About Obesity
Talk Media Blog
Related MNet Resources
For Parents: Marketing and Consumerism – Special Issues for Tweens and Teens
Media Issues: Media Portrayals of Girls and Women
Media Issues: Media Portrayals of Men and Masculinity
