Author: Laura Suzanne Wiley Meixner

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13:

"Advertisements do more than just sell products or services, they influence readers by placing the consumers in roles that define the way society views them and by the way they personally view themselves. Negative advertisements are advertisements that display women or men in demeaning and stereotypical roles that often objectify their bodies or faces. Throughout this project research indicates that negative advertisements, especially in fashion magazines and their advertisements, contribute to the struggle women have with body image. A textual analysis of two major studies provides the framework for this project showing a correlation between thin media images and body dissatisfaction in women and a correlation between fashion magazine consumption, eating disorders, and body dissatisfaction in women. The project portion of this study uses communication theory and media literature education to help women, who are project participants, learn about and use critical thinking skills. As participants work through a series of classes outlined in the project they will gain knowledge of a variety of issues surrounding media's influence. Upon completion of the project the goal is for each women participant to interact with media in a way that will no longer threaten their self esteem or body image."--leaf iv.