Body Image in Society

My name is Anton Muir and I am writing on account of how the popular Australian teen Dolly magazine has influenced the body image of young teenage girls. I believe that your magazine’s media promotes and influences young people that are in early adolescence, who are vulnerable and sensitive to the body image which is portrayed in your magazine, as the correct’ body’ and correct ‘habits’.

This type of media has been a large contributor to low self esteem, under weight issues and depression, although these results don’t sound bad, they have drastically increased due to the sub and general cultures of the western world that idealises unrealistic thinness, and body image. Statistics have shown in Australia that girls aged 13-17 have a higher chance of being depressed due to media influence which has resulted in individuals  identity’s being based on there body image rather then their personality. This type of media has had an impact of adolescents’ quality of life and must be drastically changed before it is too late.

I with various others believe that media of not only your magazine but many others and TV advertisements aim and at times attack those in a vulnerable state of low self esteem to buy the advertised product, which can apparently enhance and change their body image for their ‘greater good’. Although you’re not all to blame as the culture we live in idealises thinness, that most growing adolescents can not keep up with.

In conclusion to this letter I believe more realistic diet tips and media, should be portrayed in dolly magazine, to lessen the factors that contribute to negative body image. I believe that this will help counter the so called ‘war that has been declared on our bodies’ as Dolly magazine has played its part in the contribution of negative body image. I hope this letter is taken as constructive criticism and as a different way to connect with young people instead of being a letter of ignorant judgment of personal opinion.