Social Media’s Role in Redefining Beauty Standards
Social media has revolutionized nearly every aspect of modern life, and its influence on beauty standards is no exception.
For decades, beauty ideals for women have been narrowly defined. From Marilyn Monroe’s curvaceous figure in the 1950s to the ultra-thin frames of 1990s supermodels, society’s idea of the “perfect” body has shifted over time. However, a consistent theme has been the pressure on women to conform to a singular standard, often dictated by pop culture and advertising.
In contrast, social media has significantly expanded the definition of beauty. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube now feature creators of all sizes, shapes, and ethnicities. This inclusivity is reshaping how people view their bodies, offering representation that goes far beyond the size 0 models traditionally seen in mainstream media.
Plus Size Becomes the New Norm
As American women increasingly embrace body positivity and size inclusivity, research shows that the average body size is also changing.
A study published in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education highlights a shift in what is considered “average.” While it was once commonly stated that the average size for American women was 14, the study reveals that the average woman now wears between a misses size 16 and 18, which corresponds to a women’s plus size 20W. Additionally, the average waist size has increased from 34.9 inches to 37.5 inches over the past two decades.
“We hope this information reaches both the industry and consumers,” said Susan Dunn, one of the study’s lead researchers, in an interview with Today. “Understanding these figures can have a profound impact on women’s self-esteem. The apparel industry needs to recognize that these women are here to stay and deserve inclusive clothing options.”
Why Are American Women Getting Larger?
The average size of American women has increased over the past several decades. According to the CDC, the average weight of an American woman is now approximately 170.6 pounds, compared to 140 pounds in the 1960s. Multiple factors contribute to this trend:
- Lifestyle Changes: Sedentary jobs, higher calorie consumption, and an increased reliance on processed foods play significant roles.
- Cultural Shifts: Greater acceptance and celebration of diverse body types have reduced societal pressure to adhere to extreme dieting.
- Genetics and Environment: Genetic predispositions and environmental factors, such as stress and access to healthy foods, also influence body size.
Beyond Appearance: A Health Perspective
While larger body sizes are increasingly celebrated, the medical implications cannot be ignored. Obesity rates have doubled since 1990, according to the World Health Organization. Social media, while fostering inclusivity, has also been criticized for promoting unhealthy lifestyles and sedentary habits that contribute to weight gain.
The Mayo Clinic emphasizes that “obesity isn’t just a cosmetic issue.” It is a medical condition that increases the risk of numerous health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer.
A New Era of Beauty
True beauty lies in celebrating individuality rather than conforming to a rigid standard. Social media has been instrumental in spreading this message and has the potential to reshape beauty norms in a positive way when used thoughtfully.
What’s your take on social media’s impact on beauty standards? Share your thoughts and pass this article along to gather more perspectives!
Pennsylvania Rescuers In Shock After Finding Paralyzed Pittie Left Inside A Garbage Bag
Usually, when we wake up and get ready for our day, we don’t really think that we will end up being heroes that day.
So, when a Good Samaritan was working on a property in Philadelphia, they thought it was going to be just a regular day on the job.
However, while working, he noticed a discarded trash bag with something moving inside of it. He immediately rushed to investigate and, ripping open the bag, he saw something that completely took him by surprise.
Shocking Discovery
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Inside of the bag, the worker found a white and tan Pittie that was in very bad condition.
The body of this terrified pup was completely stiff, and he could not move his head or his feet.
The heartbroken hooman gently took him out of the trash bag and placed him on a piece of cardboard. He also covered his stiff body with a blanket, hoping to keep him as warm as possible.
When he got the pup comfortable, he contacted the local authorities informing them of the situation.
While he waited, he gave the sweet boy some food hoping that he would take a few bites.
The Pennsylvania SPCA gladly answered the call and immediately headed down to the location of the pup.
When they arrived, they wasted no time and loaded the poor pup, later named Codi, into their car and took him to their facilities.
Seeing the condition Codi was in left the vets puzzled.
“What had happened to this poor soul? Why had he been discarded like trash?” Pennsylvania SPCA wrote in a Facebook post.
It didn’t take the vets too long to realize that Codi was unable to stand up on his paws. They conducted many tests and made sure that he was fed and had a lot of fresh water on hand.
They then started to stretch and massage his limbs, making sure that they were gentle and not scaring the pup.
After some time, Codi was able to stand up and even take his first careful steps.https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPennsylvaniaSPCA%2Fvideos%2F1864516417354047%2F%3Fref%3Dembed_video&show_text=0&width=267
Seeing this made his rescuers tear up. They knew that these steps meant that, one day, Codi would be able to live a normal life surrounded by incredible hoomans. But, what they didn’t know was that this was just around the corner.
As the Pennsylvania SPCA made sure to get the word out that this sweet boy was looking for a home – posting him on their social media and even advertising him on their local news – a loving family noticed him and completely fell in love.
Only one month after being found paralyzed inside of a trash bag, Codi found his forever home!
“The odds may have seemed against him, but he never gave up and last week, it all paid off when he found his forever home!” Pennsylvania SPCA wrote in a Facebook post about Codi’s adoption.
The SPCA staff were overjoyed!
The fact that Codi was so determined and able to turn his life around completely in such a short period brought smiles to their faces. They will never forget his resilience and bravery.
“His recovery was pretty remarkable. And though he’s still a little wobbly, he’s been adopted and is living the best life!” Gillian Kocher, Pennsylvania SPCA director of public relations, told The Dodo.
Codi forgot all about his past and is now living the life of any doggos dreams with a family who adores him for who he truly is.
Final Word
Even though I am so happy that Codi managed to get his happily ever after, the fact that he was so cruelly dumped in the first place breaks my heart.
I am aware that sometimes, hoomans are no longer able to care for their dogs, but abandoning them on the streets will never be the answer.
This is why shelters exist!
I am sure that if his previous owners surrendered Codi to their local shelter, this sweet boy would have recovered much faster and would have been able to move on in a healthier way.
Being separated from their hoomans can really take a toll on pups, but receiving love and reassurance from shelter staff can make the process a lot easier as it will allow them to understand that it is not their fault!
So if, for any reason, you can no longer care for your pup, please do not abandon it on the streets. Rather, take it to your local shelter and offer it a second chance – they deserve it.
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