1. Promote Ideal Beauty to the Masses
Identify the media outlets you rely on for news and entertainment. Everything from the nightly news to your favorite sitcom has a sociocultural impact on beauty standards. Many women in television and film maintain their weight by starving themselves or by working out excessively. Reality shows encourage viewers to think all Americans are happier when they lose weight. Contestants on weight loss shows are often depicted as gluttonous and greedy. Some shows go so far as to have chubby contestants compete for sugary snacks instead of phone calls from home.
2. Deconstruct Pop Culture Icons
Toys and dolls often perpetuate the ideal body type as something that can be achieved. Young girls see a doll's disproportionate curves and develop something like hero worship. Girls who play with dolls may develop a subconscious desire to conquer the world via their figure, rather than with brains or ingenuity.
3. Peer Pressure On the Job
Supermodels, gymnasts and ballerinas are highly susceptible to eating disorders. Women who choose these careers often fall victim to extreme pressure to maintain unhealthy weights. The runway is a classic example of unhealthy images perpetuated irresponsibly by the fashion industry. Frail women are dressed up like fragile dolls and prance down the runway. These beautiful creatures are rare and they seem flawless. The illusion of an ideal beauty is dangerous when consumed by the masses, and it often leads to the development of eating disorders.
4. Sharing Deadly Secrets Online
The ability to share information with no regard to time, space or social responsibility has led to the development of pro anorexic websites. Women share starvation success stories, ridiculously low-calorie diet plans and horrific pictures of bodies breaking down from deprivation. People who suffer from anorexia and bulimia are heroes in this dangerous world and there's currently little being done to stop the proliferation of these sites.
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