final essay SOCI 1005 001

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Jan 9, 2024

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1 Social Media and Beauty Perception: Navigating Unrealistic Standards in a Digital Age By Rachael Ogwu Dr. Phillip Primeau 101220213 SOCI1005 16/12/2023

2 We live in a world where it’s now a habit formed where many people reach for their phones before engaging in morning activities. Every click, scroll, and swipe brings endless streams of memes. This behavior is not only confined to a particular age group but across generations. According to research conducted by Pew Research, approximately 90% of adults and 100% of individuals aged 18-34 use their smartphones within the first 30 minutes of waking up (Auxier, 2021). Media pervades every aspect of our lives, and the effect it has on individuals is undeniable. This essay explores the impact of social media on body image perception, self-esteem and how media contributes to the creation of societal beauty standards. We dive deep into the impact of social media influence on molding the well-being of individuals and society. Media plays a crucial role in establishing unrealistic beauty standards which negatively affects individuals’ self-esteem, self-worth, and mental well-being. The intertwining connection between media and culture amplifies these challenges. Social media have undergone exceptional growth, changing the way individuals perceive the world. Platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram have created a virtual world where billions of users share aspirations, lives, and physical appearances which contributes to the perpetuation of unrealistic beauty standards (Kaushik, 2023). In the world of social media people curate their images and what they want others to think of them which can foster unrealistic expectations, and lead individuals to compare themselves unfavorably. “These results invite us to reflect on the use of social networks and their impact on constructs as relevant to the person as self-esteem and body image and on how different policies should be taken into account to prevent a negative impact on the

3 mental health of their users” (Molina et al.,2022). Celebrities, influencers, and online communities play a significant role in shaping modern beauty standards. Many people listen to influencers and follow their advice because they think these influencers know a lot about what’s trending and their opinion shape trends and influences the decisions of choices. Social media has the potential to foster a culture of comparison and competition making individuals compare their bodies to others and cause body dissatisfaction and striving to meet the same beauty standards (Pedersen, 2023). The more time people spend on social media they become dissatisfied with their bodies. Social media have tools that alter images and make them look more polished and idealized and has impacted the perception of what’s considered “beautiful” or “desirable”. Culture is crucial in shaping, cultural norms and values that contribute to the definition of beauty standards. Effect of social media on self-esteem. That’s where validation of self-worth comes in, a feed full of positive media metrics can boost self-esteem by providing self-validation and acceptance. Receiving positive comments and likes from people who genuinely care or love your content makes an individual feel valued and contributes to their self-image. The reliance on social media to validate self-worth can be challenging. Cyberbullying is the use of the internet to harass or intimidate individuals and body shaming. This is a negative act of mocking someone physical appearance causing unrealistic body standards and fostering a culture of comparison. Both body shaming and cyberbullying have a huge implication on mental health, can lead to anxiety, depression, and contribute to suicides. Additionally, creating a community of body positivity and implementing strategies that create online safety, mental well-being, and respect on social media.

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4 I will be approaching my essay from a point of view using the theory of sociological imagination by C. Wright Mill, it refers to the ability to relate to personal challenges with bigger societal forces connected with personal biographies (Mills,1959) and exploring the theory of symbolic imagination, this focuses on micro level interactions and the role of symbols shaping individual behaviors and perceptions. The media’s representation of body image is not an isolated personal concern but a part of a broader societal issue. Societal standards regarding beauty and body image are put together through media representations, influencing how individuals perceive and evaluate themselves. The impact on mental well- being and self-esteem is not an individual struggle but a societal expectation that has put so much pressure on individuals. I will be giving a story based on personal experience. I had a friend whose name is Portia, she got influenced by curated images on social media put out there by influencers with beautiful bodies and she went into depression and started hiding and wearing baggy clothes because she thought her body didn’t align with societal standards of “beauty”. The constant comparison to these influencers took a toll on her self-esteem. we can connect Portia's struggles to the larger societal expectation of adhering to narrowly defined beauty norms. In conclusion, the pervasive influence of social media on body image perception and self- esteem is a complex phenomenon with profound societal implications. It becomes evident that the digital landscape holds both opportunities and challenges for societal well-being. Acknowledging the influence of media on shaping beauty perceptions is crucial for fostering a better understanding of individual identity. By examining this issue through a sociological lens, we can work towards a future where media contributes positively to mental well-being and challenges unrealistic societal norms. This essay, framed by sociological imagination and symbolic interactionism, emphasizes the complicated link between media, culture, and societal

5 beauty norms. However, educational initiatives that enhance media literacy can empower individuals to critically engage with the content they are interested in. By approaching the issue through a sociological lens, we illuminate the path toward a healthier relationship with social media, where it contributes positively to mental well-being and challenges unrealistic societal norms. Creating a supportive online community, promoting authenticity, and advocating for responsible media practices are crucial steps in shaping a digital landscape.

6 References: Auxier, B. (2021, April 7). Social media use in 2021 . Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021 Kaushik, V., & Hussain, Dr. I. (2023). The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Body Image Concerns in Youth with Excessive Social Media Use. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology , 11 (6), 4154–4158. https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2023.52607 Molina Ruiz, R., Alfonso-Fuertes, I., & González Vives, S. (2022). Impact of social media on self-esteem and body image among young adults. European Psychiatry , 65 (S1), S585–S585. https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1499 Mills, C. W. (1959). The Sociological Imagination. Oxford University Press. Nene, A., & Olayemi, O. (2023). The negative impact of social media on self-esteem and body image – A narrative review. Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology , 10 (2), 74–84. https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijcap.2023.017 Pedersen, T. (2023, February 27). Social media and body image: What’s the link? Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/health/how-the-media-affects-body-image

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