queenofshebaDepression has always been rather fond of the ladies
July 5th 2006 14:36
I’ve done a little further research as to why more women have depression than men. Body image seems to play a large part, due to the pressure the media subjects women to. I’m not a size 10, bright blonde, 5’8 woman – and I feel less for it. The stereotypical image that I should be one causes me to feel bad about myself, and that I am not good enough (beauty wise) for today’s world. I know I am not the only woman to think this, christ, even beautiful women think they are too fat or too ugly. Why is it today that women can’t see themselves for what they really are? Why is it that we always value our bad qualities before our better ones?
I will be blunt, and say that the pressure put on women to look like supermodels is causing depression. The rates of sadness will not lift until the media starts putting real women into their magazines. Ones who have pimples and who are above a size 14! I wonder how long it will be before a parent tries to sue a magazine for their daughter’s suicide.
Due to their ability to bear children, women are again more susceptible to depression, especially post natal depression. Hormones, menstrual cycles and menopause can all be triggers for depression.
For women who work and have a family, the stress can get too much… leading to depression. Many women often try to look after everyone before themselves, thus leaving themselves open to mental and physical illness.
I have used this this website to aid my search.
In summing up, I would like to plea to anyone in the media to take notice of this. By 2020 WHO has been predicted that depression will the worlds major health problem. This is big news guys, 2020 is only 14 years away. Major changes must occur in order to avoid this, starting one magazine at a time. Isn’t it time we saw some normal people on the catwalk or clothes designers making clothes for women with real bodies?
Thanks for listening
I will be blunt, and say that the pressure put on women to look like supermodels is causing depression. The rates of sadness will not lift until the media starts putting real women into their magazines. Ones who have pimples and who are above a size 14! I wonder how long it will be before a parent tries to sue a magazine for their daughter’s suicide.
Due to their ability to bear children, women are again more susceptible to depression, especially post natal depression. Hormones, menstrual cycles and menopause can all be triggers for depression.
For women who work and have a family, the stress can get too much… leading to depression. Many women often try to look after everyone before themselves, thus leaving themselves open to mental and physical illness.
I have used this this website to aid my search.
In summing up, I would like to plea to anyone in the media to take notice of this. By 2020 WHO has been predicted that depression will the worlds major health problem. This is big news guys, 2020 is only 14 years away. Major changes must occur in order to avoid this, starting one magazine at a time. Isn’t it time we saw some normal people on the catwalk or clothes designers making clothes for women with real bodies?
Thanks for listening
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Comment by bkr
Depression is partly caused by media pressure on people having the 'body beautiful', but not totally. Why is there media pressure on this 'body beautiful'? For some reason people seem to think that thinner is better, and you have to be a stick to look beautiful. My example is Kiera Knightly, she was beautiful a couple of years ago, great body and curves, but now she has been in the media spotlight for a while there seems to be undue pressure on her, and she, like many young women, seem to fall victim to anorexia. As a result Kiera is now skinny as a stick, no curves, and looks like a 10 year old ethopian orphan who just needs food. Anorexia can stem from feelings of unattractiveness, which can be caused by pressure from media sources, whether you're in the media spotlight or just read the media, which seems to be why many young models and actresses seem to look like they suffer from this disease.
I think there is a movement away from the typical supermodel though. There have been underwear companies who have used 'real women' (whatever that is) in their advertisements, including a famous campaign last year with size 16 women in their underwear. For the brand, this links their brand with real/normal women, not sticks as many brands do. They can feel more comfortable. This is something to be encouraged, and I believe Bonds have already picked up the ball and started using real women in their advertisements.
While this is to be encouraged, different strokes make the world turn round. Theres nothing wrong with some media/modelling/ads with skinny media darlings, but it would be good to get a balance. Get some black/white/green/blue/yellow people all different sizes in the media, there should be nothing wrong with that.
Your points on neo and post natal depression, family life, etc are all valid, and can all have an impact on a persons mental health for both sexes (men can have post natal depression too), but I don't think that the media's coverage of skinny models is the main cause, particularly when the celebrity magazines are so ready to jump on any beautiful celeb who ends up losing/gaining any weight. They do really dig into people who are too skinny, etc.
I think at the end of the day people need to be comfortable in their own skin. This doesn't necessarily mean they have to be 20kg sticks, but if they feel fit and healthy, thats a good start. Always helps to be told by people though. Reinforces their views and helps reduce their negative feelings toward their own body.
I said I'd make a comment!
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anorexia_nervosa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-natal_depression
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