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| Media and culture: Sociology assignment |
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This video was made by me for a sociology
media and culture class to show how much
impact the media can have on women of our
society. Some may think that it is
hypocritical to post something of this nature
when I myself am a model; however, I am a
voice from within the fashion industry who is
trying to make a difference. I have felt so
much pressure in my career as a model to be
overly thin. I feel that the constant images
we are exposed to time and again can play a
negative impact on the way that we feel about
ourselves. Some cities in Europe, including
Milan have banned overly thin models from the
runway.
"Madrid Fashion Week, the Pasarela Cibeles,
announced last week that it was banning
models with a body mass index, or
height-to-weight ratio, of less than 18 -
which a 5-foot, 9-inch model would have at
about 125 pounds. Also, the mayor of Milan,
Letizia Moratti, said she would call on her
city's designers to take similar action"( n.a
2006).
This is an excellent start. The more that we
speak out the better chance that we have to
change this issue. I am happy to say that at
this time I am no longer worrying about my
weight as a model. I have decided to
freelance and to not work through an agency
unless they have agreed to take me for my
weight at the present time. Most agencies
won't take me at this time because of my
weight, or they will agree to sign me if I
lose weight. Keep in mind that I am 120
pounds at 5'9 which is already less than I
should weigh based on the BMI (body mass
index). Through genetics however, I have a
tendency to stay on the thin side and always
have. If I am already under weight based on
my height and age how does anybody have the
right to tell me to lose weight? This should
be illegal! Modeling has always been a dream
of mine, but I am not willing to kill myself
to be in this industry.
"After a controversy in the modeling world
over body weight, a second model has died
after becoming dangerously thin. Ana Carolina
Reston, a well-known Brazilian model who
worked for Giorgio Armani, died this week at
the age of 23. Reston was 5 feet 8 inches
tall and starved herself down to 88 pounds
during her battle with anorexia. The model
ate only tomatoes and apples at the end of
her life. Reston had to be hospitalized
because of a generalized infection. She had
been a model since 13 and worked worldwide"
(n.a, 1996 para. 2).
The constant pressure is not only felt by
models within the industry it is also felt by
every girl who scans through the pictures of
her favorite magazine. it is felt by turning
on the television or playing on the computer.
These consistent images can bring girls to
starve themselves, use drugs to maintain
their skeleton type figures, and in several
instances may even result in death. Because
of these horrible circumstances I have
decided to start a petition and send it to
our governmental leaders so that we can also
make this change in our country. It is
important to be healthy; we live in a
demanding society that requires us to be able
to take on so many daily challenges. I don't
believe it is fair that everywhere we look we
see a stick thin girl (usually 14, 15 or 16
years old) who makes us feel like we can't
even wear a bathing suit to the beach. We
need to get realistic here and speak out as
an entire team of Canadian citizens. Please
take the time to review this short video and
please sign the petition that I have created.
I am going to print the petition and write to
the leaders of our country, which will
hopefully help stop some of the unrealistic
standards we are exposed to in our daily
lives, and perhaps, like Milan and Madrid, we
can create a ban on unhealthy Canadian models
as well. Thank you for your interest!
References
(2006). Another Supermodel Dies After Weight
Loss. Retrieved March 4, 2007, from
5nbc51.com Web site:
http://www.nbc5i.com/health/10344570/detail.h
tml
The Associated Press, (2006 September 18).
London rejects thin model ban. Retrieved
March 4, 2007, from International Herald
Tribune Web site:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/18/busine
ss/rthin.php
Tags : body image advertising anorexia modeling weight loss effects of media |
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Affichage : 22912
Durée : 155 s |
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