“I am the oldest of three girls, and I have to be sure that I’m setting a good example for my little sisters,” said Tasha Hughey, a sophomore Education major.
“I wear what I wear because I like it, and I eat because I love food. It shouldn’t be a matter of how I look compared to Hilary Duff. As a big sis, I have to make sure that my sisters see me as a role model before they idolize some unrealistic stick figure.”
Ron Brown, author of “The Body Fat Guide” said that anorexia is caused by feelings of self-hatred and unworthiness. He estimates that for every 200 women, one to six will be affected by anorexia. Five to 18 percent of these women will die from this eating disorder.
The truth is that how we perceive celebrities is not real. It is no secret that it takes an entire team of hair, makeup, wardrobe professionals and computer airbrush technicians to get Hollywood’s finest looking the way the public sees them. So why do some young people feel the need to imitate what they see in the media?
“These stars are so perfect, and everybody wants to be perfect. Even if they can’t, they still try. I know I do,” said Carmela Villareal, a sophomore Dental Hygiene major.
Students at the University of California at Los Angeles found that 25 years ago, the average female model weighed 8 percent less than the average American woman. Today, the average female model weighs 23 percent less than the average woman. The studies found that only about 5 percent of women have the genetic makeup to ever achieve the long and extra lean model body type seen in the media. Yet, many women believe this body type is the only way they will look attractive.
“I don’t like that I get upset when I look at my “Cosmo” or watch MTV, and wish I had that toned, flat stomach. I want to be healthy and thin. I work out on a regular basis, and it just doesn’t work for me. I guess it’s not supposed to,” Villareal said.
Ruby Eberhardt, Clerk II at the Welcome Center, knows that Hollywood has an effect on young girls. Her concerns are for her daughters. She wants to teach them the realistic side that they do not see in the media. She says that it is her duty as a mother to make sure that her girls have the self-esteem needed to say no to the pressures of Hollywood.
Gregory Pasztor, Instructor of Communications, believes that young children should not be babysat by television and allowed to absorb unrealistic images because children cannot understand the difference between what is on a television and what is reality.
The Federal Communications Commission ruled that television shows had to make it clear to children the difference between programming and commercials. Since children did not understand the distinction between when a show ended and advertising began, an announcement is made after each segment.
Pasztor said that as time goes on, the distortion between reality and Hollywood reality can grow into an even bigger problem with adults allowing themselves to become numb to what is real.
“The danger is if you accept it without critically thinking of what Hollywood does,” said Pasztor.
Pasztor thinks that Hollywood will do whatever it takes to make money. If this means more sex, violence and parental control warnings, so be it.
Susan Rogers, spokesperson for the Center for Media Literacy, said, “I like to put it this way. If a stranger came to the family door and said, ‘I’d like to come into your kids’ room and show them lots of pictures and tell them lots of stories,’ would you allow that? Of course not. The point is, open dialogue with your child.”
The question should not be why does Hollywood make such an impression on young Americans, but why are young Americans so easily influenced by people they do not even know?
“It’s a matter of how much you know yourself and how much you care about yourself as to how much others influence you,” said Hughey.For more information on media literacy, visit http://www.medialit.org