Magazine pictures
Renee Smith

This activity is an excellent way to help girls understand how the media manipulates society and how the media dictates what is beautiful.

The women depicted in magazines have unrealistic bodies. Girls look at these magazines and compare themselves to these models. They are unaware of computer enhancement and manipulation.

To help girls understand how unrealistic these images are:

1. Have girls look through magazines.
2. Have them cut out pictures of women.
3. After they have all cut out their pictures, ask them if they know anybody who actually looks that perfect.
4. Discuss with them computer enhancing.
5. Discuss how unfair it is to have women depicted in this manner.

A Simple Proactive Approach to Address The Media's Influence of Societal Views of Women and Beauty.

Look through magazines and identify ads that emphasize unrealistic bodies, use women's bodies to sell products, and send unhealthy messages to society.

Encourage girls to write to the companies telling them how unfair it is for the media to define beauty.

For a list of company addresses go to about-face.org. Click on "Making Changes" then click on "Company Names".