Girls are portrayed as super thin and boys should be extremely muscular. At least, this is how the media makes people think. From the time we are young, everything around us tells us how we should look and what we should do. When a girl sees other girls who are very skinny and get lots of guys and attention, they assume that is how they have to look to be pretty and likeable. We also get an image in our heads from our families saying “Oh wow, you’re putting on some weight.” the day you start growing. Even if you are just naturally getting less thin because you are growing up and your metabolism is slowing down, people around you react instantly the second you start putting on pounds. It is a very negative thing, especially for children to be hearing from people who are supposed to be their support systems. We are all subjected to this. I can honestly say I’ve experienced the whole feeling of “maybe I should go to the gym more and eat less” because of what people have said to me since I’ve grown up and am not as stick thin as I was when I was 8.
http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_mediaeffect.shtml
I think it is such a terrible thing for people to be worrying about every day of their lives. Thankfully, the Dove campaign seems to be having a very positive effect on people. Their commercials just make people feel better about themselves and I think these commercials are a good thing to have around us today.