The tilted camera angle of the picture demonstrates the
corrupted views that society has towards young women whom strive to be
beautiful. Young women and girls are not required to strive for beauty by any
means, but in the society that Americans live in; it is impossible for young
women to not be influenced by the burden of beauty expectations. The camera
angle is also at a heightened position, as if society is looking down on young
women whom are unable to compare with the unrealistic expectations of beauty
set by media. This view also exemplifies how any woman whom is different is
automatically seen as different in a negative way. This assumption prevents
women from straying from the pack and rewards sticking to beauty norms that are
established in magazines like the ones that this young woman is reading. The
standards of beauty often pressure girls to feel as if they will not be
accepted into society because they do not fit into the gender schema that is
established and exaggerated by the media. The magazine that this girl is
reading shows models that have body structures and features that are not
typical of a young woman of her age; yet her age group is the target audience.
This portrayal of unrealistic expectations of what a young woman’s body should
look like promotes intense dissatisfaction with the young woman and her body. The
girl has her back pinned against a closed door in this picture; this
demonstrates how a girl whom is struggling with her looks may feel exiled
against society. The door represents the communication with the outside world
for this young woman; she shuts the outside world out because she is unhappy
with how she looks and feels as if she will not fit in with the outside world. The
floor and walls of the picture are hard and cold. The floor is not carpeted and
is a hard seating surface for the young woman. This demonstrates how the young
woman is uncomfortable with where she is and how she feels about her body. The
dark colors of the walls and floor show how cold and alone the young woman
feels and reflects the loneliness that she is feeling. The young girl is closed
to the outside world; not only by keeping behind closed doors, but by shutting
out the outside world with her body. The young woman’s legs are crossed with
her head buried in her hands. From observing the body language of the young
girl, the audience can see that she is upset with herself and is shutting
herself out from any source of help.
4 comments:
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I think that this image is an interesting way to show how the media can have a large impact on young females. Considering the fact that the girl in this photo is looking down in disappointment is an example of how stressful the media can be towards young women in the urge to achieve the unrealistic standards they advertise. It’s as if the photographer is exhibiting how she’s cornered by the media and an outcast by the outside world because her interpretations m of her own beauty aren’t up to par as the models she sees in her magazines. I think by using this imagery and incorporating these creative elements, the audience or viewer can really see the volumes this image is trying portray. The usage of spacing between the girl in the photo and the magazines gives a sense of the type of media that revolves around her constantly. The pressures to fit herself into a mold have caused her to almost in a way shut down and exclude herself from society because she feels as though she cannot achieve this epitome of beauty the media portrays.
I think this picture perfectly demonstrates how media controls what kids think is socially acceptable and makes them think if they don't look a certain way they won't be good enough or fit in, especially with girls. The multiple magazines in the picture give it more depth to how much they look at and how much the media puts this stuff out in the world for the purpose of telling people that is how they are supposed to look.
Unrealistic Standards
When I look at this picture and see a young girl who is confused about her identity. She has surrounded her self with a variety of fashion magazines to try and figure out her look. Society puts a lot of pressure on the female to look a certain way, and this girl appears to be struggling with figuring out just the right look. With her hands covering her face, it is clear that she is in a state of confusion. Her back up against the door, may symbolize both wanting to be alone, and keeping others out while she anguishes over her new identity.
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