Historical Analysis

Hypothesis: The ideal body image has changed

significantly over the years and as media has evolved, so
have the negative impacts that are the result from the
unrealistic constructed view of the ideal body image. The
1950s ideal body image was far more natural and curvy
and 2015s ideal body image has become much more
thin, toned, and sometimes even sickly.

In the 1950s the idealized female body shape/type was

Marilyn Monroe, the star who rose to fame across the
globe. Her natural shape was considered the perfect body
and photo shop wasnt there to project impossible body
images. In fact woman were considered unattractive if
they were thinner without much curves. As Marilyn is still
popular today it is agreed that she still stands as an idol
of natural beauty. However as media has evolved in 2015
the idealized body type changed to look like stars such as
Kendal Jenner, Cara Delavigne, and Zendaya Coleman.
Thin became in and curves were less unattractive in the
public eye. Some would argue that the 1960s model
Twiggy changed societys perception of beauty.

Photoshop is far more prominent in the media today and

editing softwares are able to edit any blemishes or
imperfections away, leaving the perfect image. Not
only is it impossible for most individuals to achieve this
look as even the models dont look like this, but as most
peoples bodies are incapable achieving this look, it leads
to severe disorders that can threaten the lives of girls and
boys alike. These disorders can lead to EDs or EDNOS
(eating disorders or eating disorders not otherwise
specified). Body dimorphia can even occur where the
sufferer under the ED will actually see their body in the
mirror as being far more larger than it actually is. The
cases of these life threatening disorders have rose
significantly each year as media portrayed body images
have gotten more and more unrealistic.

This is the result of disorder such as Anorexia and Bulimia

in males and females alike. Cases of anorexia were found
most commonly in female models and ballerinas but after
the death rate rose and the true severity of these mental
conditions rose, laws were put into place to support
recovery not further sickness. Now models must be a
certain weight but as photo shop is an easy fix for
blemishes Models can be changed digitally to look like a
healthy impossible thin. This has changed the disorder

from being most commonly in models to teen girls and

few teen boys. One of the most famous cases of anorexia
was with Portia De rossi, and her recovery took media by
storm.

All of this is the result of the pressure to be the perfect

thin for media.
Conclusion: My hypothesis I found is correct. Media used
to portray thicker, curvier girls as sexy and changed it
around now so that thinner, toned females are the ideal
body. The media now does have the technology to
digitally alter the models now as well so already
impossibly thin models can and sometimes are changed
to be even thinner.