Oh, alright. Perhaps the idea of a vast media conspiracy is a little silly. I don't really think there is a "media conspiracy" to make women feel bad about having perfectly normal bodies. But, it has been shown that this media "ideal" directly affects women's body satisfaction. A compilation of "body image and media" studies by Liz Dittrich, Ph.D., shows that several studies have indicated a direct correlation between women's exposure to media's "idealized images" and lowered satisfaction with their bodies. To quote from that article:
"Irving (1990) found that subjects exposed to slides of thin models consequently presented with lower self-evaluations than subjects who had been exposed to average and oversize models. The results also showed that all subjects experienced the greatest pressure to be thin from the media, followed by peers and then family." [Emphasis mine]
I emphasized the above section because I think that it's important to acknowledge that the media are not the only players in this "conspiracy" of body-image distortion. Society, friends and family members play their role in our attitudes about "fat" as well. After all, the media presents us with all kinds of "idealized images," like the aforementioned perfect lawns, yards and houses. But none of those other idealized images are as widely accepted, or as rigorously reinforced, by our society as the image of the "ideal female form." Therefore, those of us whe exceed that form are affected not only directly - by exposure to the media's images - but also indirectly, by the acceptance of that image by society at large, and especially by the acceptance of that image by our loved ones.
Our society projects its acceptance of that image in ways both subtle and unsubtle. Mothers tell their daughters, "you could be so pretty if you would just lose a few pounds." Thin children taunt non-thin children, secure in the knowledge that "society" agrees with them. Retailers hide "plus-size" clothing in obscure corners of their stores, apparently out of a concern that "normal people" might see "large people" shopping at the same store. Other retailers go a step further, and don't carry "plus sizes" at all.
In short, the attitude about "fat" that so terrorizes us has many sources: It comes from inside our own heads, from the media message we internalize; it comes from comments from friends and family; it comes from the general lack of societal acceptance of overweight people. It is sometimes disheartening to think about fighting that attitude on all fronts. Luckily, we don't have to take 'em all on at once, because the most important "source" of that attitude is also the most accessible - ourselves. We can't change the images the media show - at least, not overnight - but we can counter-program our psyche with images of beautiful big women.
So, go to a photography studio and get a few "glamor shots" of yourself done, frame them, and put them on your dresser. Get a catalog that includes plus-sized women modeling plus-sized women's clothing, or visit a website such as Large Size Lingerie or Love Your Peaches. You may be amazed at how gorgeous some of these women are. And while you're at it, order some of those clothes. Don't shop at stores that don't carry your size. Nothing is more uncomfortable (or makes us feel worse about our bodies) than squeezing into clothing two sizes too small - except perhaps, not being able to find anything we can squeeze into at all. Why give your money to a company that deliberately makes you feel that way? Subscribe to a "big and beautiful" magazine, like Mode or Extra Hip. Cut out pictures of successful, beautiful bigger women, like the three actresses mentioned above, and paste them on your wall. All of this will remind you that big beautiful women deserve a place in the sun - and in our psyche - right alongside small beautiful women.
Of course, it's hard to feel good about ourselves when we don't feel good, period. So, by all means, we should eat a healthy diet and put some exercise into our lives. Those of us who have been living on junk food and leading a sedentary life (guilty!), might even lose a few pounds or inches by doing so, but that's not the point. The point is to feel fit and healthy, confident that we can meet life's little challenges, like running to catch the bus, or dashing upstairs to see why the kids are making that awful racket, or shoveling the sidewalk, or fighting off a negative body-comment from a friend or loved one.
When we feel confident in the normalcy of our own bodies, when we stop asking for acceptance and start demanding the respect that we are due, our message to the media will be loud, clear and forceful. I think that, when our society is full of confident women of all sizes, women who expect society to accept them just the way they are, the "media problem" will solve itself. After all, media's goal is to deliver a market to their advertisers. If we no longer accept the "message" they send, they will have to change their message, or die. And if they're not willing to change their message, good riddance!
Karen
BIBRI
Body Image Betrayal and Related Issues, Wendy S McWhorter-Finney
Fashion 'Discovers' Lush Bodies
Cynthia Nellis, About.com Guide - Fashion
Large Size Lingerie
Online direct sales of lingerie for large women.
Love Your Peaches
Luxurious clothing for plus-sized women
Something Fishy
Website on Eating Disorders