MEDIAGIRLS Lesson

Media’s story of “perfect.”

According to the media’s portrayal of men and women, what does a perfect

male or female look like?

• Males please brainstorm your ideas of a perfect male.

• Females, please brainstorm your ideas of a perfect female.

“Perfect Female”?

“Perfect Male”?

How do we decide what is beautiful, desirable, sexy?

Who creates this definition?

Kayan Tribe, Thailand

Bodi Tribe, Ethiopia

Maori Woman, New Zealand

Xhosa, South Africa

Surma Tribe, Ethiopia

Does American Media’s Perfect Women Exist?

What are problems that can arise from trying to attain the unattainable?

What’s the problem?• Fifty-three percent of 13-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies, a

number that increases to 78% by age 17. (NIMF)

• Sixty percent of girls stop doing things they love because they feel bad about their looks. (Unilever research)

• Cosmetic surgery for girls age 18 and younger climbed by 300% from 1997 to 2007, with breast augmentation climbing 600%. (Representation Project)

• Eighteen percent of boys are highly concerned about their weight and physique (JAMA Pediatrics, 2014).

• Boys who dislike their body image, are more likely to suffer depression, binge drink, and use drugs. (JAMA Pediatrics, 2014)

What MEDIAGIRLS does!

Refuse to buy in.

Share the positive.

Develop a skill.

Vote with your $$$.

Look for the good.

Help others.

Join the revolution.

www.mediagirls.org