Stereotypical beautyAre there stereotypes about body image? “A “stereotype” is a generalization about a person or group of people. Our society often innocently creates and perpetuates stereotypes, but these stereotypes often lead to unfair discrimination and persecution when the stereotype is unfavorable” (Grobman). It's difficult to understand how much the media influences us unless you take a step back and evaluate things like advertisements, magazines, and television programs. Women today follow the stereotypical images of beauty that the media portrays. These images of beauty are about women's physical appearance on the outside. The unbearable pressure from the media makes women appear a certain way to be accepted in society. For the last two centuries, the women of this world have tried to achieve the stereotypical beauty presented by the media. There are many arguments for the ways in which the media illustrates negative body images. Over the years, magazines, movies, billboards and television programs have worsened female body image. I will explain body image stereotypes and the difference between them between the mid-1800s and today. I chose these two periods to compare because they are completely opposite. I think showing the difference over three hundred years allows you to see how weight and beauty have varied. I believe it is important to find a compromise between these two different stereotypical images of beauty. Stereotypes can negatively alter women's appearance and cause them to treat their bodies differently and harm themselves. It is important to examine these stereotypes to see how they have evolved and how women can avoid these negative influences. Stereotypes on the physical appearance of women in...... middle of paper ......day, today and tomorrow." October 6, 1999. March 5, 2009ImageIdeal.html>."Media Awareness Network." 2009. Beauty and Body Image in the Media. March 2, 2009girls/women_beauty.cfm>."Mirror, Mirror." Social Issues Research Center, November 6, 2008. Sesterhenn, Kit. "Media Stereotypes Distort Men's Body Image and women". Delphic. 6 November 2008/storage/paper1086/news/2008/02/07/Features/Media.Stereotypes.Skew.Body.Image.For.Men.Women-3192916.shtml>."Young students report distinct stereotypes about body shape." June 7, 2005. Medical NewsToday. November 6 2008 .