I cannot claim to be Jessica Simpson’s # 1 fan, but I am sorry that she’s had to endure the media scrutiny that began recently after pictures surfaced showing her a little heavier. Personally, I think the extra weight looks great on her. The media, on the other hand, decided to attack her for not maintaining their (unrealistic) idea of beauty.
Now correct me if I’m wrong, but I remember being taught that beauty was only skin deep. But today, the media, with its countless beauty advertisements and weight loss gimmicks, deliver a very different and flawed philosophy; (which is proving to be very damaging to our society).
On a daily basis, we’re being brainwashed to adapt to the media’s concept of beauty. The worst part; their perception is not even lucid. Not to mention, the mis-education of our young men and women. Teens are very impressionable during the maturation process, but instead of safeguarding their vulnerability, the media tells them they should struggle to accomplish goals that are unattainable. So in an effort to reach the impossible, over 225,000 teens went under the knife in 2008; to just “fit-in”.
Teens are not the only one’s drinking the media kool-aid; women are greatly affected, as well. When women start to feel insecure about their bodies, the media tells them self-esteem and self-confidence can be found in products. The ads in commercials and magazines create a common thread between happiness and losing 10 to 20 pounds. Now being of sound mind, we know it’s disingenuous, but this is a billion dollar business, so evidently, we want to believe the connection is true.
There was a time, when having insecurities and being self-conscious were a normal part of growing up. And frown lines, coupled with a little meat on your bones, meant that you were growing old gracefully, (which actually enhanced a person’s inner and outer beauty). But somehow, the true meaning of beauty has been lost somewhere in the media's obsession; and we desperately need to find it.
