Negative media advertising
The media, specifically advertising, has been largely responsible for demoralizing women’s self-esteem. The influence this has had on the public has occurred quickly, cumulatively, and subconsciously. For long, the media has been a powerful tool that expresses expectations about the images of both men and women. “Killing Us Softly 4” is a video created by Jean Kilbourne, which talks about the modern advertising industry’s effect on women’s self-esteem and personalities. It is a 4th film documentation series containing ads that Kilbourne had collected since the late 1960s, created purposely to critique the advertising approaches that she had observed from the American Society. Kilbourne says that “the advertising industry has created unrealistic beauty perceptions for women which lowers their self-esteem and makes them dehumanized.” Such creation of perfection for women comes with a string of problems for both the older women and the upcoming young females in the media industry.
The negative media advertising over the past several years has resulted in women showing an increase in body dissatisfaction, and this lowered self-esteem has affected their overall health bringing about mental issues (Hanna ). In her video, Kilbourne admits of the way some advertising companies have used women as “objects” and for promotions of various goods and the way women have been body shamed. The author also suggests that the advertisements give a perception of the importance of “women’s perfection” to society. There have been increased socio-cultural attitudes towards appearances where most women have had an increased desire to have lean bodies. Most women have resulted in an eating disorder Inventory to attain thinness (Hanna). Social pressures have been a predictor of the drive for women to look a certain way for them to be deemed “beautiful.” Most women have resulted in being depressed and having their self-value lowered and damaged severely. Other young girls have resorted to getting surgical procedures whose results are always detrimental to their health
The media have had a considerable influence on the growth and development of human beings, evident from its prevalence over the years. The self-esteem damages that have been caused by the adverse effectvs of media comes with health issues ranging from health issues to societal problems. Enough measures should be put into consideration as the issue of self-esteem is becoming a direct threat, mostly to the upcoming generation. Media advertising should, therefore, focus on building women’s self-esteem rather than lowering it.