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Do Scantily-clad Media Icons Impact Girls’ Body Image?

August 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

It’s happening more and more. The pages of the magazines and the programs on TV are filled with impossibly thin models, moguls, and celebrities. This type of media depicts an unrealistic image of what a typical girl and woman should look like in today’s world. When girls look at these puffed, buffed, clipped, and cleaned up versions of their favorite stars, they feel like they’ll never be thin enough, cool enough, or hot enough to be…enough.

Do magazine models influence the body esteem of girls?

Researchers from the University of Minnesota published a study in the 2007 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics. They suggested that adolescent girls who read about diet and weight loss in magazine articles can be negatively influenced years later.

Magazines feature impossibly thin supermodels next to “back-to-school” diet plans and tips for getting your body into “bikini-bearing” shape. Cover headlines scream; “50 Shortcuts to a Sexier Body” (Glamour) or “6 Ways to Thin  Easy Diets That Really Work” (Allure)

Articles might say “Embrace your curves” but the retouched photos of ultra thin models tell a different story. Suffice to say, some advertisers have their hands in more than one cookie jar.

Who was in the study? Over 2500 middle school students that were surveyed, weighed and measured in 1999 and again in 2004. About 55% of the participants were girls.

The Scoop: Adolescent girls who frequently read magazine articles that featured articles about dieting were more likely five years later to engage in extreme weight-loss practices such as vomiting than girls who never read such articles. This result was not influenced by whether the girls were considered “overweight” by medical standards or if the girls believed weight to be important to them.

Middle school girls who read articles about dieting (compared to those who did not read such articles) were twice as likely to try to lose weight 5 years later by fasting or smoking cigarettes. These girls were also three times more likely to use extreme weight loss practices such as taking laxatives or vomiting to lose weight.

“Forty-one percent of adolescent females report that magazines are their most important source of information on dieting and health, and 61 percent of adolescent females read at least one fashion magazine regularly,” ‘Eric Stice, Ph.D

The problem: They may not know it’s happening; but girls are being tricked. Studies show that the average fashion model is much taller than the average womanbut weighs about 23% (one-fifth) less. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, while the average woman is 5′4″ tall and weighs 140 pounds, the average model is 5′11″ and weighs 117 pounds. On top of already being think, advertisers and publishers use retouching techniques to make models seem even thinner and taller.

Note: Other studies have found that 69% of girls feel that magazine models influence their idea of the perfect shape (Field et al). Other statistics show similar body image problems, such as

–the modeling industry standards suggest women should have waists no larger than 253 and hips no larger than 35 1/2 inches, they also recommend measurements of 34-24-34;

–women’s magazines have 10.5 times more ads and articles about weight loss then do men’s magazines;

–60%+ of college students feel worse after reading magazines;

–changes found in magazines between 1970 and 1990 include increase emphasis on fitness for attractiveness and a decrease in the model hip to waist ratio (becoming less curvy);

–1 out of every 3.8 commercials sends a message about attractiveness;

–the average person sees between 400-600 ads per day;

–7 of 10 girls say that they want to look like a character on TV

Do music video models make an impact on girls’ body image?

Researchers from the University of Sussex, leader by Dr Helga Dittmar, found that the use of ultra-thin models in music videos can lead girls to develop poor body image. The article was published in the Journal of Body Image.

Who was in the study? 87 girls ages 16-19 years were put in random groups. A third watched music videos featuring the Pussycat Dolls and Girls Aloud, known for being thin and attractive. Another third of the participants were asked to listen to the music but not watch the videos. The final group was used as a “control” group– only learning a list of neutral words. All three groups were asked questions that asked them to recall what they heard or watched. Answers measured levels of self esteem, body satisfaction and mood.

The Scoop: After just 10 minutes of exposure, the researchers found that the groups that had watched the music videos with the thin, attractive stars, exhibited the largest increase in body dissatisfaction in comparison to those who simply listed to the songs of completed the memory task with the neutral words. In addition, and perhaps the most troubling, it did not matter whether the girls had high or low self esteem to begin withthey were all equally affected.

The Problem: Girls look to these music video icons as what they should aspire to be. Seeing very thin celebrities can make the girls feel “less then” and make them wonder how they can ever look like their heroes. Girls are tending towards dieting, poor eating, and other more extreme weight loss behaviors.

Media is all around us. Even when we don’t seek it out; we see it everyday. The portrayal of very thin models, actresses, singers, and entertainers does indeed have an impact on the ways girls see themselves and their bodies.

By: Dr Robyn Silverman

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How to Eliminate the Fear of Rejection When You Ask a Girl for a Date

August 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

We’ve all experienced it. That sick feeling you get when you’ve asked a girl out – and she turned you down. It’s humiliating, isn’t it? Especially if it happens right in front of other people. You wish the ground would open up and swallow you. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s how…

Many men are so worried about being turned down by a girl that they would prefer not to even take the risk, so they never even ask. Studies have shown that guys choose this as their number one reason why they don’t approach a girl. They generally say it’s because when you ask a girl out, you are putting yourself out there, you are putting yourself on the line, and so rejection involves your whole self. So if you get a rejection, it makes you feel like you’re somehow rendered worthless. It’s a big blow to your self-esteem. This leads many guys to just sit back and not even try, because they would prefer not to take that risk.

If that describes you, I have some news for you. Rejection doesn’t always mean that you are no good. In fact, it hardly ever means that. Let me tell you about the 1 in 10 rule. This is a kind of rule-of-thumb. It says that if you try to open 10 doors, the chances are that one of them will open. This rule actually does work, but don’t ask me to explain why. Try ten doors, one will open. What does this have to do with dating? Just this: ask ten girls out, chances are very good that one will say yes. Quite often you won’t even get as far as asking ten of them before you get one to say yes! This rule applies to all girls, the really attractive ones included. So you can set your sights high.

But now we come to the downside of this rule. If you try ten doors, and one opens, that means that nine are locked. In dating terms, that’s nine rejections! So the question is, how do you cope with them? You have to deal with those nine rejections, or you won’t ever get to the tenth one that says yes! The first thing to understand is that a no answer doesn’t always mean you are no good. It’s possible that the girl might not like you, but there are simply hundreds of other reasons why she might say no which are nothing to do with you or with your approach or with your appearance. She might be feeling down that day, or ill, she might have just had an argument with someone, anything like that. She might be in a mood in which she would turn down even the Great Casanova. What you need to remember is that the rejection is part of the process of moving towards an acceptance. That way you do not feel so much like you are putting yourself “out there”. One thing I enjoy doing is to say to myself, “OK cool, that’s a rejection, only nine more to go!”

It’s like if you have a market stall selling wodgets or something. You don’t go into agonies of self-doubt if a few people look at your wodgets and don’t buy them, do you? You just wait until someone does come along to buy. If you just pack up your stall and go home, then nobody is going to be able to buy.

Having this more relaxed attitude to rejection will have a pay-off in another way. Your more relaxed attitude will turn the 1 in 10 rule into more like a 3 in 10 rule. And I’m talking about attractive girls here, remember. Your success rate will go up. You get more confident, your skill increases, and you get more dates. But even the world’s greatest lover man will never achieve 10 out of 10. Even he has to get a rejection sometimes. See what I mean? You need to fit each rejection into its context. The world’s greatest lover knows that a rejection is part of the process, and that sooner or later, it’s inevitable you meet a girl that will say yes.

By: Robert Paterson

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Do You Know How to Ask Out a Girl? – Let Me Teach You How to Ask a Girl Out

August 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Hmmm, this is a tough one to do without getting eggs on your face. This is something that has troubled man for many years and will trouble them for many more. It is far and away one of the toughest things young men are faced with, but face it, the ball is in our court and we have to take the initiative in a relationship so you better learn how to ask out a girl.

Before you get all of the priceless information you are about to read, you are going to have to come to grips with one thing. That is that you are going to face a lot of no’s when you throw yourself out there and ask out a girl. Let’s face it, men are idiots most of the time and we think far too much of ourselves on many occasions and we misread the signs that the girl is throwing out there plain as day. You lean towards her and she leans back and you think she is showing you her flexibility when in reality, she is trying to get as far away from you as she possibly can.

One of the first things you must learn about how to ask out a girl, is preparing yourself for her tos say no. Once you overcome that you need to get your game plan together to do all you can to make sure she says yes. Be prepared for the worst, but expect the best. You do this by showing confidence without being too cocky but also by being funny and by offering her something that she is interested in. You get there by having a meaningful conversation with her and finding out what she likes. If she loves fine dining and you can get in at the hottest restaurant in town, that may be the thing that brings her over to your side of the fence. If she was iffy, she may just give you a shot because you are asking her to do something that she actually likes, not just what you like. Invite her out and do it with confidence and you may just find yourself not hanging out with the boys this Saturday Night.

If you would like to learn how to ask a girl out and the art of seducing beautiful women, then visit my website and get your hands on my free report that has changed the dating life of thousands of men and turned them into dating kings.

By: Mark Taylor

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How to Flirt Effectively – The Fundamentals of Flirting With Determination

August 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Flirting comes naturally for most folks. Many types of flirting are simply outcomes of the way you behave when you meet someone you actually like and are curious about in having a romantic relationship with. However, some of us are too bad at the job and need some good advice on how to flirt with aptitude and subtlety.

What would dating be without flirting?

Flirting signals that we’re interested in someone, it initiates most successful relationships and it’s fun too. Flirting means giving someone your total attention ; it means smiling, playing and touching. In the right circumstances, it’s a great tool. In the incorrect circumstances, it can lead to humiliation and be fully disgusting.

When you can talk to a girl for the first time

When you approach a girl for the 1st time, the first time, the initial moments can be can be worrisome. However, approaching girls and speaking to them becomes easier with practice. The following easy steps will lead you when you want to talk to the girl you like for the first time.

Practice Talking. Try chatting with your mates who happen to be girls and gain some experience, you may also ask them to help. Each so regularly you only need a little confidence before you approach the girl you are interested in.

Nervousness is Common. Even if she is keen on you, she may be distant or tetchy with you just because girls are just as nervous about the first time as boys. Take your time, Go slow ( though not so much to make her fall asleep) and do not expect a grand conversation the 1st time you talk.

Approach When she is Receptive. Elude approaching a girl when she is surrounded with her mates or is too busy. At such times the girl isn’t receptive, irrespective of how much she is keen on you. Come up to her when she is cosy and hanging out casually.

Take it Simple . Even if you do not feel assured, you must seem like you do so appear confident and, approachable. Prepare yourself mentally to accept rejection or whatever negative reaction you get from the girl…tell yourself that you’ll be OK with it.

By being prepared for the worst, you take the pressure off by being willing to accept a refusal and as an and you’ll be nicely surprised when the girl is receptive to your approach.

Start with Hi . It may seem comical, yet your nervousness may lead you forget your manners and forget your manners and forget the simple steps. So start by saying hi, and then start the conversation.

Relaxed and Steady

Once you approach and say hi, it may be simple to chat too quickly or get pushy. Take a big breath and relax. Start slow but get to know her by asking about her interests, hobbies, family and/or buddies. Use your silence to help her feel comfy and listen when she talks. The girl is yet another homo sapien so relax and talk to her like you would with any of your friends.

How To Ask A Girl Out

You met her, you talked to her, you got her number and, so far, everything went great. However now comes that awkward point… How to Ask a Girl Out.

• Don’t wallow in doubt and insecurity. If you need a date with this girl you’ve got the right to ask her out.





• If she is saying “Yes”, have a plan in mind; know your schedule and have a concept to suggest.





• If the answer is “No” or “some other time”, don’t be shocked or feel offended. Just take it in your walk. Then carry on the conversation as if nothing upset you – be polite and friendly.

Remember that girls don’t admire or respect a negative reaction. To the contrary the fact that you were able to brush off her rejection so easily may actually raise her interest.

Have a plan in case she is saying “some other time” but if she still acts too busy potentially as she’s not interested and does not want to hurt your feelings. Accept it as a rejection and move on!

• Have a plan in mind, as well as a specific time and whether you will pick her up or meet her somewhere and make sure you have the funds to pay for. Whatever time you have agreed to, be punctual.





• Never, ever cancel a date unless it’s a bonafide emergency. Word travels fast in social circles, if you lie to her, she will surely find out about it. She may also tell her girlfriends and they will not go out with you, either!

The art of flirting does not come flawlessly to everyone; though it isn’t terribly tricky not extremely tough to master it .Learning how to flirt is sure to get you started with flirting if not on the top! Remember that flirting is a technique of connecting from the heart and recognizing somebody. Be generous! Have Fun!

Overview

Flirting is a universal activity that may help break the ice and lead to new friendships and romantic relations. It could also just be a nice way to meet new people or add a little excitement to your day. You only need a few pointers to be a successful flirt.

The Dating Secret – What’s needed When Dating Black Women

August 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Since many years the Black man-White girl couple has been more common, today social observers say that dating black ladies is just as common. As we move ahead into the new millennium, dating and marrying across cultures seem to be augmenting at record rates. Today you are likely to encounter mixed-race couples just about anywhere you go: at a company function, at the grocery store, at: a gig, the mall, the theater, even at the church.

The Escalating Trend

Individuals have a number of reasons for dating and mating across color and racial lines. The rising trend of afro-American dating can be due to cultural and racial factors as well as personal choices of people. Some Black ladies are of the opinion that they were/are attracted to their White opposite numbers because they had difficulty in meeting Black men at their social and finance levels. Others say that their white buddies treat them well and share common interests. While some people simply like to date people of another race.

Dating African American

Black dating sites are quite common these days and are especially useful for the interested persons to narrow their search. Folk have different preferences and rather than visiting all of the dating sites you can save time and energy by going directly to your target and achieve success. Black dating sites are available for dating African American services. The varied variations in behavior, nature and culture between the 2 races make African Yank dating popular. Internet dating services support African American going out with a great deal.Black dating sites is fun and a place for anybody who is interested with African Yankee dating.

Black Ladies Dating White Men.

• When single black women are looking for pointed connections with other white singles thru web dating sites they will find a sufficiency of services.





• Usually these sites will offer detailed white personals and photo studio, dating message boards, live chat, and online flirting with instant messenger services and bulletin boards designed solely for Black Women Dating White Men.





• Filling up your profile only takes a minute and whether you’re into heavy metal, golden oldies, traveling or bird watching, the various options available make it easier to find that particular person. The search facilities with black dating services are usually very good at both international as well as local levels.





• The black personals’ community provides free trial of the service in several cases. It gives a good platform for creating relationships ranging from love to companionship, to friendship and to marriage.





• you will also find adequate possibilities for young, black executives to meet other attractive and successful white males. In today’s world a person’s profession is critical in shaping our identities, notwithstanding ethnicity and faith playing a large part in outlining our identities. Moreover when you meet someone with a similar level of pro accomplishment, you never run out of stuff to speak about. It also helps first dates to be a lot more nice when the 2 of you share a lot in common.





• However Blacks dating other singles can opt to meet and date members from fields apart from their own. A lawyer may enjoy the company of an artist might be fascinated by a healthcare professional.





• Online dating across cultural lines can be a fun and non-threatening way to re-enter the dating scene. It can basically help you cut down the qualities you’re attempting to find in a mate, while also identifying the qualities you have that are most unique and appealing.





• Eventually in interracial dating it is always advisable to maintain appropriate limits in the dating process to guard yourself from primary attachment to someone that could be passing through. It isn’t not the looks, money or outer show, but the common ground and nature of the commitment that develops between both of you which should identify the relationship.

Online dating sites for dating black women let you to search for members in a selection of ways. If you are interested in searching for singles by profession, you can. If you would like to meet people of a specific ethnic group, or different ethnic groups, you can do that too. You can locate shared private interests at the push of a button. It is now simple to find your dream date with the modern search applications available on black online dating services.

Summary

Online dating sites for dating black women let you search for members in a selection of ways. If you would like to search for singles by profession, you can. Reasons for the escalating trend of dating and mating across color and racial lines vary from person to individual.

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