Ever notice anything strange when you watch TV or movies, play video games, or look at billboards? Like how everyone looks so totally "perfect"?
Ever notice that almost all models and movie stars, are super thin and super gorgeous and that most of the people you see on a day-to-day basis don't look anything like that?
Media bombards us with images of thin, pretty models to influence our buying habits and the way we feel about ourselves. Those in the know realize that it's unrealistic for most people to look like models, and they take all the media images with a grain of salt. Try our quiz to test your own media savvy.
So What Does It All Mean?
Remember, the media enhance models' body parts and facial features with lighting, props, LOTS of makeup, and techniques like airbrushing. Blemishes, freckles, and other "imperfections" are erased to make images look "perfect." But NO one is that perfect, not even models — otherwise their photos wouldn't need to be touched up!
Media images and messages aren't always realistic or healthy, and they can influence how we think and perceive others and ourselves.
Try to pay attention to ads and commercials and messages. Instead of just accepting them, ask yourself if you agree with what the advertiser is saying. Whether you do or not is up to you. But should you accept everything you see or hear? Probably not.
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