Body Image and the Media

Hot Topics in Media

by Celeste Conway

Body Image and the Media provides a balanced look at a hot-button topic. Explore the pros and cons of the idealized portrayal of people in different types of media, what effects this has on a boy's or girl's body image, the dangers of a negative body image, and what people do to change their bodies (including eating disorders and cosmetic surgery), as well as the influence of parents and peers on a person's body image. Full-color photos, a glossary, an index, sidebars, primary source documents, and other creative content enhance the book. It also includes prompts and activities that directly engage students in developing the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills required by the Common Core standards. This well-researched title has a credentialed content consultant and aligns with Common Core and state standards. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

48 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Celeste Conway is a published author of children's books and young adult books. Published credits of Celeste Conway include The Melting Season, Where Is Papa Now?, The Goodbye Time, and When You Open Your Eyes.

Reviews

[Skyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful tool for children in grades 3-6 to learn about the positive (and negative) ways in which body image is portrayed in the media. Because puberty typically hits our young adults early on, it is paramount that our kids have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about body image.

The media, however, is a tricky topic; it's even more difficult to create an abridged version of the glamor and corruption involved behind the scenes in television, videos, books, and what have you. Did you know that a good number of bodies displayed for advertising purposes are photoshopped? You might already be aware of this, but young adults frequently have different perceptions. For example:

1. People accept ideas about beauty that they see in the media.
2. They compare themselves to these ideas.
3. They try to change themselves to fit these ideas. Or they work very hard to keep a certain weight or look. (Conway 11)

Let me break Celeste Conway's book down for you so you'll know exactly what topics will be covered here.

Chapter 1 discusses the definition of body image and how young people are influenced by what they see.

Chapter 2 compares and contrasts male versus female presentation in the media.

Chapter 3 maps out how and why model sizes in fashion magazines and television shows can feel like an "impossible goal."

Chapter 4 cracks down on the negative effects the media can have on its viewers. This chapter delves into the world of eating disorders (and online bullying) as well as highlighting a few ad campaigns intended to bring awareness to eating disorders.

Chapter 5 is the closing chapter, and as such, it teaches readers how they can maintain their own positive body image and how having a healthy body image will ultimately benefit them.

So again, this is a brilliant little educational tool for a classroom setting or for young children to read together with their parents. A book like this is long overdue and I'm so thankful Celeste Conway took the initiative.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with how the media and advertising bombard teens and tweens with mostly negative examples of body image and the conflicted feelings they create in girls and boys. It is filled with facts and figures; each chapter ends with a posit. Readers are directed to critically think about the information presented and respond in meaningful ways, such as comparing websites, debating viewpoints, interpreting graphs or writing commentaries. Numerous photographs of pop culture icons will keep readers interested. Back matter includes a time line, glossary, resources and index. This is a valuable resource for beginning a research paper and a must for elementary and secondary libraries.

[Crystal EVHS Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is mostly about messages to women for women, but also touches in several chapters on male body images messages and their effects on boys and men. It's very interesting and has many interesting subjects.