#journalismclass

[mariount]

Body Image and adolescent girls’ selfie posting, editing

Today in my journalism class, my classmates discussed the concept of Body Image and brought about a lot of interesting points in regards to how body image has evolved in our society. We watched the Dove Selfie video in which young girls are encouraged to take selfies and reflect on their personal feelings about their own body image. Throughout the video many of the girls made comments about being unhappy in their skin and hair. The group presenters argued about how selfies allow for us to control how others see us and the layers of unhealthy self-image that have developed with the rise of social media constantly promoting the ideal of what many consider “perfect”. The rise of social media has resulted in people using it to almost construct their identity. Consequently, this can create dangerous social norms that result in harmful self-image or body image. We also watched a video that talked about self-esteem and how good self-esteem has been scientifically linked to more productive and successful results. Although, this concept stimulated a social culture that encourages feeling good and looking good, it was also a concept that could reach narcissistic principles and unhealthy tendencies all in hopes to preserve a status within our culture. They found that we construct our identity through experiencing how others construct their own identity and mirror this ideal of what we consider acceptable. Another group in class introduced the concept of how media constructs this idea of the ideal woman and imposes certain qualities that make women seem like their value lies in their sexuality. The group showed us various ads in which advertising promotes diminishing the value of women by dumbing them down and hyper-sexualizing their social role in our culture. For example, there was this American Apparel advertisement for a unisex flannel in which the guy was shown as dressed casual, however for the girls picture it was shot with cleavage and hyper-sexualized. Overall, today’s class was interesting because it made me reflect on our societies use of media and question the effectiveness of social media as a tool for empowerment because it can influence a desire to be accepted by others, when we shouldn’t have to change ourselves to be accepted. Furthermore, some interesting questions to consider when thinking about body image were “Are selfies a tool for empowerment or detriment to adolescents experiences?” and “Do you think that self-objectification affects adolescent girls more than boys?”. 

Rubinsky, V., Hosek, A. M., & Hudak, N. (2019). “It’s Better to Be Depressed Skinny than Happy Fat:” College Women’s Memorable Body Messages and Their Impact on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Rape Myth Acceptance. Health Communication, 34(13), 1555–1563. Doi: 10.1080/10410236.2018.1504659

[surreptitiousthoughts]

Box of Photographs

I believe that I have poured my heart out in the many things Sir Jerry asked us to write about. And if I remember correctly, this one’s during my Journalism class (my elective) with him when I was in third year. :)

And yeah, I was also crying while writing this. Though I tend to do that a lot. Haha. :)

"Box of Photographs"

The higher your starting point is the harder will be your fall.

I have had different problems. I experienced being bullied, betrayed by the people I considered my best friends, deprived of the honor that was rightfully mine, cheated in a contest and unaccepted. Nasty rumors about me were spread. Evil glares burned on my back every time I passed. Sharp words were thrown on my chest. Those painful events led to breakdowns. I cried myself to sleep almost every night. I became a shy child, almost always caught with a faraway look. I walked with my head down and my eyes looking at the ground. Curled in a ball at the end of my bed just thinking why those things have to happen to me was one of the things I spent most of the cold afternoons with. I felt unworthy, like a box of photographs stored in the attic. Alone in the dark. Left to fade with time. The inevitable morning was the constant reminder of my sufferings. No matter how bright the sun that shone from the single circular window of the room was, I still felt the dim hole inside of me. I dreaded the sunshine. It was as if its cheerful rays were mocking me. Its happy glow felt like prickling thorns on my skin.

But I did not let those struggles overwhelm me. I did not allow myself to be left in the dark. I got outside the box and climbed down the stairs. I wanted to start all over again. After I have reached the highest point, I went back to phase one to undo my unknown mistakes. Maybe on my second try, I would know what I have done wrong and would then feel better when I have reached the top. I am glad I did that because on that second try, I found my true best friend.

She was a bit older than me so maybe that was why she always gave me wise advices. She taught me things I never knew I could do. She made me realize about the wrongdoings I did that I was unaware of. Because of these things, I changed. I learned to think first before speaking because my words might offend others. I became more humble and understanding. I also realized that I should wear a smile for my frown gives people the impression that I am mean or ill-tempered. The words such as patience, industriousness, and sensibility were added to my vocabulary. I was no longer just a woman of words; I also became a woman of meaning.

But there was a certain point in my life when I needed my best friend the most. I was in a state of depression and was loathing myself. I kept on walking on the rough road for the simple motion to distract me from my growing uneasiness. I knew that she would not be able to come for I have failed her expectations but a part of me still hoped. Yes, I gave myself false hope for I believed that hoping for the impossible was better than expecting for nothing. She did not come and in her place stood a man.

I did not expect for that to happen. As she turned farther away from me, he became closer to me. He always comforted me especially when my best friend and I fought. But his means of comfort was unlike any other because he was always on my side but never said harsh words about my best friend. He became the shoulder I lean on during times of sadness. He would wipe away my tears and share his positive outlook on life with me. These simple things were the causes of why I became stronger. I strived harder. I learned not to give up that easily and that everything I do should not always be for others, but also for myself. He taught me that I should never forget to let myself be happy. But the most important thing that I have learned from him is that God is always with me. Because of his optimism and encouragement, my best friend and I finally made up.

I could finally say that I have become a better person. From being a box of photographs stashed in the dark, I have welcome sunshine with a grin while carrying treasured memories in my arms. Things would no longer fade for every moment was already captured. I have started from a high starting point and fell with a hard bump but this bump gave me realizations. So even if I was deeply hurt, I was still thankful. Besides, that accident gave me scars I hope would stay forever and those are the friendships I developed with my mother and grandfather.