Body Image

Body image is how people picture themselves and how they think other people picture them. It is basically how you feel about your body, and it includes your perception, imagination, emotions, and physical sensations. People dislike their bodies for many reasons, and most of the reasons are pretty common. The biggest reason why people dislike their bodies is because of the high standards of beauty that the media has made. It is all around, on TV, billboards, and magazines. The standards that the media made have become harder and harder for normal people to achieve. Men and women both change their bodies, but its mostly people who are unhappy with themselves. The top ten list of cosmetic surgery for women are: liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, nose surgery, breast reduction, facelift, tummy tuck, breast lift, brow lift, and chin augmentation. The top ten list of cosmetic surgery for men are: liposuction, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty, male breast reduction, hair transplantation, botox injection, laser hair removal, chemical peel, microdermabrasion, and laser skin resurfacing. Women, by far, get more cosmetic surgery done then men do. Eighty-seven percent of the procedures were done on men while only thirteen percent were done on men.

Current events could play a large role in how a person feels about his or her body. Depending on the current event and its significance to society, current events could affect a person's body image greatly. Attitudes about bodies have definitely changed over time. In the past, the media didn't set standards for beauty and thinness like they do now. Body image wasn't such a concern in the past like it is now. Over time, the media has sent out a negative message to society that in order to be beautiful you have to be perfect.

Of course different cultures have different attitudes about bodies and body image. Different cultures have different lifestyles and histories. What is thought to be acceptable in one culture might not be acceptable in another culture. Some cultures think its attractive and a tradition to have various piercings and/or tattoos, and then some cultures completely forbid it. Also, some cultures are more comfortable with their bodies and obesity then other cultures are.

There is a huge difference between male and female magazines. Women's magazines are ultimately revolved around body image. Even magazines about families and cooking still have a little