A Critical Analysis of the Representation of Female Body Image in Women Magazines

Seminar paper from the year 2014 in the subject Communications - Mass Media, grade: 94%, Communication University of China (Institute of Communication Studies), course: Theories of Communication, language: English, abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine and criticize the representation of female body image by mass media. For decades the bodies of women have been tailored to highlight products and services by advertisers and owners of the media as a means of generating capital gains. This tailoring, has led to what many have come to accept as the 'ideal image of beauty' that every woman should endeavor to achieve. This paper continues the discussion on a topic that is widely and frequently discussed.

The theoretical framework that this paper employs is based on one of the most applauded theory in communication studies; The Political Economy of Communication and Media theory, which was first coined by Dallas William Smythe. This theory is pertinent to understand the presence of the commercial forces behind creating and maintaining this ideal body image, particularly by advertisers in mass media. The form of mass media that this paper concentrates on is women's magazine, with specific focus on advertisements regarding beauty and cosmetic products/services. Additionally, case studies in the US and China are used to depict the influence mass media representation of female body image on women.