Thin Enough?
The following is the eighteenth in a series of essays written in response to the media analysis assignment described in the January 28, 2000 article on this topic page. Colorado State University student Corrie Griffith discusses the media message "that in order to be beautiful one must be thin."
Thin Enough? by Corrie Griffith
Society today, especially women, are greatly being influenced by the look of today's top actresses. Most of the famous women in movies and television are very thin and are sending the message to children and adults that in order to be beautiful one must be thin. Being thin can be considered a good thing, but when one takes unhealthy risks with their bodies in order to be thin, it can be very dangerous, even fatal.
These days, one can't even look at a magazine cover without seeing a super thin actress or model. Then, right next to their picture is usually a bold-faced title proclaiming to be able to help you drop ten pounds in two weeks. Teenage girls who see these magazine covers want to buy them just to get the special "secret" that is supposed to be inside. Also, since the actress is on the cover of a national magazine, she is believed to be very successful. Thus, a connection is made saying that in order to be successful at the same time one has to be a size six.
In an article from People magazine, the extremes of losing weight amongst famous actresses are discussed, and it is amazing to read about what exactly some of these people put themselves through in order to look "good" on television. For example, a stuntwoman doubling for Sarah Michelle Gellar in the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer says that "with her weight ranging from 105 to 110, she's barely a match for the 5'3" Gellar, who, aided by an on-set nutritionist, has eliminated fried foods, sugar, and dairy products from her diet and now tips the scales at 98 pounds." Even Courtney Thorne Smith from Ally McBeal says that if she weren't working on the show she'd be at least five pounds heavier, but "won't risk it for fear she'll look big next to her size two castmates." Jennifer Aniston from Friends is 5'5", and she recently dropped fifteen pounds in order to become 110 pounds. With all of these women who are very influential in society today trying to become even smaller than they already are, there is a definite message out there that says thin is the thing to be if you want to be sexy.
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