Friday, on Facebook, a friend posted this
ad from the JC Penny circular. This particular image comes from the company Joe
Fresh. Her comment “jumping off the page is a young girl whose legs look like someone from
a concentration camp. I AM APPALLED THAT COMPANIES ARE ADVERTISING WITH MODELS
OF THIS SIZE. It sends an unhealthy message to our girls.”
My initial reaction was that she let
the company know. As popular as shock value is, I cannot imagine that was Joe
Fresh’s intention in their efforts to sell jeans. Throughout the day, as I thought more about this, my opinion changed and I reposted. “While these women
are super skinny, I wonder why we harp only on the weight of models sending the
wrong message. What about the fact that they are gorgeous-er than us? These are
not meant to be average women any more than an NHL star in an SI add is an
average athlete, hmn.” Sure, being a professional athlete isn’t a dangerous
aspiration but it’s still unrealistic. Yes, I like it when ads are relatable
but a teenage, rail-thin, wrinkle less model isn’t relatable for more reasons than
weight.
Someone else added:
Imagine if they were obese. Would we be irate? Probably not. We
might be confused or surprised but not irate. And we should be because [and yes,
I just watched Weight of the Nation] that is an equally unhealthy message to
send to our kids.
We are undoubtedly influenced by the media; this
has been confirmed by research. Images can stoke insecurity. I just don’t
believe media messages “give” us eating disorders anymore than they give us
obesity. Do I like a Coke commercial? No, I would much rather a “water” commercial.
Fortunately, though many discussions, my kids now know all about soda, the awful ingredients and intentions via advertising to make us want to buy it.
Eating disorders are yucky, scary and complicated. “Thinspiration” exits but it’s only one of dangerous arenas
luring children. When I have sessions with eating
disordered clients we spend way more time talking about their families and
their friends, comments others make and emotional triggers than we do ads. I
recently read the children are more receptive to conversations about weight and
health when teenagers dole out the advice. I see that as a way to make inroads
in this conversation with young people about body image and the media, about what's realistic and about what isn't.
And there’s the other “modeling”, are
we modeling healthy eating habits, positive self talk and balance to our
daughters and sons? Are we asking them about print ads, billboards and
commercials? The newspaper circular can be a teaching tool. Which photos do you like? What do young people see when they look at the image above (and others)? If they were making it or "the boss" would they change anything? And these questions are equally important for male and female children. Boys need to know that these girls above are not "average". We need to control what we can control because whether it’s a fast
food commercial or a stick thin model, the images are here to stay.
What do you think about the ad above and others like it? What do
you think is the answer to all of this?
I don't think anyone would seriously contest the impact of these images on young women. I think it clear sends a message about what the company, at the very least, thinks is attractive. Also, there's also a kind of exclusivity that is generated from them, especially if it's a company (and I don't know Joe Fresh) that has a limited size range. Young women and girls often derive a sense of their own beauty and attractiveness by comparing themselves to such images and using these kinds external reference points, rather than internal ones, to assess how they appear relative to others -- unless they have unusually high levels of self confidence and self esteem. I say, remind companies of the message they're contributing to. Agree that using obese models doesn't solve the issue. But remember, no one aspires to being obese. I think what companies should create are ads that represent an accurate visual representation of people from all ends of the spectrum... which would encourages tolerance and acceptance for self and others.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa. No, I have multiple studies to confirm that women and young women do compare themselves to images in the media. As a result, these images do not make us feel better. We can agree on that. I don't think fashion and especially high fashion has ever had health as one of its parameters. There is something unrealistic about fashion- whether it's artistic spreads in a magazine, the prices of designer clothing or the look of models. I am still waiting to get the height and breasts the supermodels I grew up with all sported (if only someone had explained it wasn't in the cards). I will disagree that it's the exception that can see that these are extreme bodies. There is a lot more being done to boost body image and increase sensitivity about these subjects now. I have confidence that this is a postive step.
ReplyDeleteThere are companies that show more of a variety of body types, age ranges etc but for the most part those are still airbrushed with wrinkles/lumps and bumps removed. It's never going to be really lifelike I don't think.
While I agree that ads like this don't "give" someone an eating disorder, I definitely think seeing unrealistic images of models in the media, could definitely tip someone (with a tendency towards an earring disorder) in that direction. Agree that we, as parents, have the primary responsibility for teaching (and role modeling!) our kids about what's "real", just as we need to teach them about eating "real" healthy foods, but the media sure doesn't make it easy for parents in both areas! There's no easy answer to this, but I do think it "takes a village" to help our kids grown in to healthy young adults these days, and that "village" includes, not only the parents, but the media, schools, the business sector, and the government as well. Thanks for sharing Lauren!
ReplyDeletegreat point, it is cumulative exposure. And whether we are damaged by what we're seeing we're affected. While I see all different types of women and often find smile or person style some of the most attractive things I notice size. I notice it, as you said, in a way I wish I didn't. Part of it is just being an observant person but part of it is also that I spend my days talking and focused on size.
ReplyDeleteAlso I kind of dislike these ads b/c so many of these women aren't actually women, but 13 year olds. AND there is nothing worse than seeing a 13 year old model attempting to pull off a wedding gown!
ReplyDeleteYes, agree EA about the "tipping". If you're already vulnerable, this can affect you more or have more of an effect. I cannot pinpoint why I feel fashion is less insidious than telling us chemicals and carcinogens are fun. I don't think having a thin, beautiful person selling your clothes always deserves blame. It's so tricky. Is Heidi Klum ok b/c she's not emaciated but the Joe fresh models are too thin?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but in the day and age where these models are eating toilet paper in order to not feel hungry we are sending the wrong message. http://www.examiner.com/article/celeb-diet-secrets-gone-wild-some-stars-eat-kleenex-to-stay-skinny
ReplyDeleteusing women that are naturally thin is one thing, but there are so few of those that the fact is that you know these ads are unrealistic.. and probably airbrushed to be even more so.
there should be a wide range of sizes just as there should be a variety in ethnicity in modeling - which in the above you do not see.. For a company that wants to make money, they sure are narrowing their field of potential clients quite dramatically..
designers who only design for the 1% of the 1% super thin, while that is their right and precognitive should be given the amount of attention that their demographic deserves..
Thanks for stopping by Connie. There's noway to tell which thin is natural as even those naturally thin often take measures to be even thinner. You made me think of something, perhaps we should seek out companies who do a better job and "support" them. Certainly, as you said, a company doesn't want to alienate customers but it's also true that despite people claiming to see a variety of body types that they don't sell as well. It's similar to what Whitney said. What we "want" or think is right and what we respond to and purchase may be different.
ReplyDeleteI got this book for my 10 yo daughter:
ReplyDeleteAll Made Up: A Girl's Guide to Seeing Through Celebrity Hype to Celebrate Real Beauty
She really enjoyed it. I feel that education is key. We cannot stop media bombarding our children with unrealistic images and advertizing processed food as healthy and fun.
Great post Lauren. I think the reason why the very skinny models makes me angry is this; I highly doubt those jeans are even a size 0!! I bet they had to be safety-pinned into those jeans, because I've been to plenty of stores and tried on the ZERO and they haven't fit (and these models have thinner legs then I do, I know it). I'm embarrassed (it's especially true at the Gap, oh my gosh...size 0 is too big and I'm offended). I don't shop there anymore.
ReplyDeleteHAve you ever noticed the maniquins (can't spell..) who have to be "buttoned into" their clothes? THAT"S what makes me angry. They aren't even realistic!! So, while it's true that an obese model wouldn't make people angry, sadly that's more normal these days, and realistic, then rail thin. Both are "wrong" images to portrait, in their own way, but then again, who is to say the average weight is the right weight?! IT's complicated, and I love that you bring up these topics!
A friend sent this link to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm a model and am one of the few who has made a real living at it for several years. Most of my work has been the fashion week's of the four main fashion cities. I happen to be thin and tall and have a certain "look". Thinness runs in my family. My mother is 50 and has never been able to gain weight and my father and brother are also very thin. It is true some models have eating disorders, but there are also some who are just thin.
The choice of the image complicated and none of the people involved will tell you what it is based on other than they "know it". There are issues with only having one sample size so most of the models can wear it without modification to save costs, but that sample size could really be anything if there was an agreement. High fashion has experimented with other body types and the results have not been what the designers and store buyers wanted. The same can be said for using models of color too.
I wish there were greater efforts to help kids be happy with themselves. It turns out I'm mostly deaf and I'm way too tall for girls (I'm on the borderline of what a model can be). I was bullied in school for these things, but have come to accept who I am.
This is a very complicated world. I don't think attacking the models gets at the issue. People could boycott companies that used these images if they felt it was important. But I feel a push to work on the self image of teens and preteens - particularly that of girls - is the key. If you can't be resilient to an image, you won't be resilient against very much.
I won't recommend modeling to anyone btw .. Most fail and never make money and there is near constant rejection. Even a top model get rejected 7 or 8 times out of 10 for work. I managed to get lucky, but that is the exception.
I don't particularly like the idea that these ads (and fashion magazines with their photo spreads, which aren't much different than ads) only show super skinny women or girls. I think it's a bad image to send to young girls, and even women as a whole. But I don't think it's the biggest problem we're facing. As you mention, young girls are probably not as influenced by ads like this one as they are by their friends. This kind of image certainly contributes, but a little education and parenting can counteract it. We just have to keep the conversation going, and make sure that our daughters (nieces in my case since I don't have a daughter) see images of healthy role models as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is anything wrong with have a number of different types of model representing real body types. And frankly? These girls have real body types. I am tall and thin and I eat normally (for the most part). It kind of bothers me when I hear over and over that rail thin girls are a bad thing...
ReplyDeleteWell put. This is a complicated issue and no *one* thing causes eating disorders. Though the models in question look a little bow legged to me!
ReplyDeleteIt's not a look I aspire to, trust me. I just feel it's empowering to focus on what we can control and arming our children to frame things well/boosting their confidence etc.
ReplyDeleteYou are tall and thin Ameena, did you say you were "normal" oh wait you just said you ate normally, ha. Agreed, we have no way of knowing who's healthy and who isn't and I think a focus on habits and body types is worthwhile. Assuming someone who's think doesn't eat isn't fair either.
ReplyDeleteI just think the super thin stand out whereas nobody is posting when someone looks perfectly fine (middle of the road in terms of weight). Only very thin or very overweight get the attention/discussed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "insider" comment jheri. I think you touched on what was mentioned earlier...what we say we want "variety in body type" and what drives us to purchase can be different much as we don't like to admit it. I would disagree in terms of ethnicity- from models to singers or actresses I'd like to think we are more color blind to race in terms of driving sales etc. And nice to point out that oftentimes the models have insecurities too.
ReplyDeleteI think size 0 is stupid, who wants to be a "nothing", right? Yes, I have noticed that on mannequins (looked it up) so what...those are double zeros? But wait if there's vanity sizing maybe that's something to make people feel more confident. A large can become a small, a medium an extra small (another dumb size) and what then a regular small is xxs -I give up.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion Natalie, I love the idea of "don't believe the hype" whether it has to do with looks or food. If you know what's real and how to make a good choice, you're ahead of the game. I sort of want to read that book....for me.
ReplyDeleteI know, from my experience, that seeing models like this was discouraging growing up. I happened to hit puberty young (4th grade!) so hips and boobs popped up out of nowhere. When I look back at what I looked like, I had a great body. I wasn't too thin and I wasn't big either. I thought I looked healthy. But, kids can be cruel and I started to believe that I was fat even though I wasn't (size 5 pants with a flat stomach and a 36 B bra, come on, I was bound to have some meat on me). I knew that I would never be as thin as a size 0 and I was okay with it. If you're a healthy size 0, then by all means, you're good. But if you're just thin with no muscle tone and just flabby, then I don't think that's a body image that should be portrayed. Thin is fine to aspire to, but you should want to still look healthy as well.
ReplyDeleteI honestly feel like there should be a study done where you take the sizes of models out there today and I guarantee that almost all of them would be sizes 0-3. I feel like this causes women and especially young women to subconsciously feel like that is the norm, when in actuality most women are larger than that. I am not saying that there aren't some people out there that are naturally thin, because I am sure there are! But I feel like ALL models are extremely thin and it really just isn't ok! Especially because a lot of the clothes the models are wearing tend to look a lot different on a body that has boobs or a butt or a bit of a tummy! I think that healthy needs to be redefined and that the average size of models and celebrities needs to be addressed because it just is not the norm and I hate that because we are surrounded by the media everywhere it gets engrained into us that super skinny is what is attractive.
ReplyDeleteHaving experienced EDs I think that this is a sensitive subject and one that doesn't have a clear "answer." Did magazine images trigger me? I don't know, because the thing with media is that it's subliminal. I know that I don't look like them at all. I know that deep down no matter how much I "love myself as I am" I wish I looked like a model. I know that having the genetics I have made me strive very hard to turn them into something akin to the pages of a magazine. I know that when I was restricting food and overexercising I would look in the mirror and see something that did not look like it could be on a magazine page and that made me push harder. But I also know that EDs are complicated things that likely start at a very young age and are influenced by genetics and family more than media. However, I think it's a little risky to say straight out that these images don't contribute to EDs. Much less our nation's paradoxical obsession with thinness and overwhelming obesity statistics.
ReplyDelete