A few weeks ago, I walked into the fitness center around 9 p.m. to find the place completely packed. All the machines were being used, and people were fighting like rabid dogs over the dumbbells. As I walked bitterly towards the "cubby " area, knowing I would have to wait to use one of the bikes, I began to calm down. I realized that the fitness center being packed was actually a good thing, and that I should try not to be so self-centered (quite difficult for me). After all, there are a lot of unhealthy people at Tufts who need to spend more time at the gym and less time at the soft-serve ice cream machine.
A few days later, in one of the three media-related courses I am taking this semester, the class found itself engaged in discussion of "body image" and the media's role in shaping perceptions of what it means to have the "ideal" body. The class discussed everything from the implausibility of actually attaining the "perfect body" to the negative psychological effects that these images have on people.
The discussion was dominated mostly by the women in class. They all seemed to be expressing the same ideas in slightly different ways. They all appeared to agree that there were adverse effects to constantly being exposed to idealized images. According to most of the women who chose to offer their opinion, these images only worked to lower self-esteem and cause depression. I definitely felt like the media was being thrown under the bus.
As the conversation neared its end, I decided to raise my hand and ask a question. I wanted to know whether or not there had been any evidence to suggest that the viewing of idealized images had any documented positive effects. I thought this might have been a pretty normal and intelligent question until I was verbally assaulted by half the women in the class.
Apparently, there was no way that I could be right. Seeing people with perfect bodies only leads people to engage in extremist behavior, characterized by heavy drug use and calorie obsession! This, of course, inevitably leads to suicidal behavior and severe depression!
After class, I went back to my room, unsatisfied with the response that I had received. A few hours later I began to think about what had happened. I decided, like in most cases, that I was probably right. I still believed that seeing images of perfection on a constant basis could actually work to encourage a person to make improvements, rather than depress them.
I suppose the only example I can use to prove my point is myself. Last year I drank too much, ate terribly and was overweight. Looking back, I'm disgusted at the way I chose to conduct myself. There wasn't one specific point when I decided to start living a more healthy life, but reading Men's Health and other fitness magazines definitely motivated me to get my life together and stop living so irresponsibly.
I didn't start using steroids or become obsessed with getting in shape. I didn't become depressed when I would succumb to temptation on occasion, either. I just slowly attempted to live more responsibly. A few months later, I was practically a new person, and certainly more satisfied with who I was.
I think this discussion brings up a number of important issues. It's very easy to adopt a defeatist attitude when it comes to losing weight, putting on muscle or limiting alcohol consumption in the interest of health. Most of the time, people simply convince themselves that they can't do it or they are simply too lazy to make serious changes.
That being said, I do agree that women are exposed to images of "unattainable" beauty more than men are. However, simply because the media has set the standards high doesn't mean that it's right to accept an unhealthy lifestyle or mediocrity. I find that this is a common excuse, mostly among women. They tell themselves that they will never look "like a model", so they become frustrated and refuse to even try. Spare me.
It is in fact possible to strike a balance. Improvements can be made. I can't remember the last time I heard someone say, "I got a C on the final exam, but that's OK with me." The attitude that people take with their academic work should be the same attitude that they have towards their bodies. Not everyone may be able to have a perfect body, but what's wrong with continually working on a healthy basis to get there?
Do you think Ben is a terrible person/writer? Are you disgusted by his arrogance? Would you like to silence him? If so, he can be reached at benjamin.bell@tufts.edu
