I have to admit that I have never been much of a magazine reader. But when I do pick up a magazine I tend to skip the articles and go straight for the pictures. And when flipping through popular magazines I am overwhelmed with images of extremely thin models. Actually it is not just magazines where I am faced with these images it is pretty much every where I look. These days you can not turn on the television or go to a movie without noticing that the majority of the men and women presented are thin.
Now I have nothing against thin people. Many people have small frames and are proportioned differently than others. And I believe as long as they are healthy and taking care of themselves than that it is fine. My problem is that images of men and women that are of different sizes are rarely represented. I believe this sends a negative message to people, young women in particular. I know that when I flip through a magazine and see pictures of thin, beautiful women I get discouraged with my body. I never see a picture of a woman that resembles me. And I believe it is the same for many other women.
Young girls need role models to look up to. They need to see other young women whom they can relate to and that also resemble them. And with the amount of media and popular culture that girls are exposed to I do not find it surprising that they look up to models, singers, actresses, and other women present in the media. I think that it is great that the media can provide a source of positive influence in girls lives. However, I believe that the media has the responsibility of covering a diverse group of women, not just toothpicks. What kind of image does that send to young women? That thinness is the ideal image they must strive for?
This leads me to another problem I see with the media---the lack of health promotion. In the middle of many magazines or in the health section I am not finding articles or information about exercising for health benefits. I am bombarded with ads for products to change the image of ones body, to drop the pounds to look great in a bikini, and other ridiculous slogans. What ever happened to exercising because it is important to stay healthy?
I will be the first to admit that staying healthy isnt always the reason that I will go for a run or swim a few laps in the pool. What comes to my mind is the idea of me looking nasty in a bathing suit, and that I need to lose a few pounds to look presentable. And I am sure that is the case for many other girls. But I think that this may be because I never see images in magazines or on television of girls that dont wear a size 0. What is wrong showing pictures of girls that dont wear the 2 piece suits?
Well I know this article isnt going to stop you from going and buying your favorite magazines and watching your favorite television shows. But I do hope that it makes you think about what you are reading and viewing.
In continuing with the idea of health promotion I am going to encourage all young women to get out and get active!!! It has occurred to me that maybe many women are not aware of the options that are available to them for physical activity. I remember when I first came to UMASS that I had no idea where to begin when it came to getting involved in activities and staying healthy. The following are just a few ways that I have found students can get involved in on or around the UMASS campus. I tried to find a little bit of something for everyone. But I apologize for not including everything, there was just sooo much!
UMASS Recreation Facilities
(this includes the pools, strength & cardiovascular facilities, gymnasiums, and auxiliary facilities)
-these facilities are for use by UMASS students, faculty and staff
-you will need to present your Ucard to access these areas
-and you will need to supply your own equipment
for more info. including time schedules go to www.umass.edu/umim
UMASS General Physical Education Classes (GPE)
for info. on physical education classes you can look in the course schedule booklet or go to www.umass.edu/physicaleducation
UMASS Residential Wellness Centers
-the wellness centers are small gyms that are located in various dorms (Washington, JQA, Lewis and Webster)
-they are available for UMASS students only and require a membership fee
for more info. go to www.housing.umass.edu/hallserv/well_centers.html
UMASS Body Shops
-located in Totman Gymnasium
- requires membership fee
for more info. go to www.umass.edu/sphhs/exsci/bodyshop.html
Ice Skating or Racquetball at the Mullins Center
for schedule of times go to www.mullinscenter.umass.edu/rink/frame.html or call 5-3990
UMASS Intramurals
-UMASS offers a variety of intramurals for men, women and coed groups (i.e. basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, etc.)
for more offerings and other info. go to www.umass.edu/umim
UMASS Registered Student Organizations (R.S.O.s)
-UMASS also offers a variety of student organizations including the outing club, the ski club, the bicycle racing club, the sailing team to name a few.
for more info. and a list of all organizations go to www.umass.edu/campact/cao_rso_cat.htm
Bike Paths in Western Mass.
for info. on bike paths in the area go to www.hadleyonline.com/railtrail or www.massbike.org/bikeways/indexw.htm
Hiking in Western Mass.
check out http://www.visitnewengland.com/mass/western/outdoors/walk.htm
This article contributed by Laura Perry.
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