Stuck in the Model Trap

Back in the summer of 1997, Mary Martin and James Gentry wrote an article entitled "Stuck in the Model Trap: The Effects of Beautiful Models in Ads on Female Pre-Adolescents and Adolescents".  In this article they address concerns about the effects that models in magazines and advertisements have on young girls.  What they wrote is pretty shocking.


In 1993 a study done by Martin and Kennedy found that most girls "compare their physical attractiveness with that of models in ads."  On top of that most young girls aspire to become models.  In a similar study, also done in 1993, by Lee quotes a young model:

"Deep down inside, I still want to be a supermodel... As long as they're there, screaming at me from the television, glaring at me from magazines, I'm stuck in the model trap.  Hate them first.  Then grow to like them. Love them.  Emulate them.  Die to be them.  All the while praying this cycle will come to an end." (19)

Children normally start to develop a lasting sense of self-esteem in the 5th grade.  However, boys and girls go through this process much differently; girls will focus more on their bodies being objects that they will be judge by, whereas boys see the experience as more of a process.  The study also noted that girls are also more affected by the "feminine ideal" where boys are less affected by the "masculine ideal" (20).  


The study also points out the normally half of a female adolescent magazine is made up of advertisements.  This fact has a major impact because a majority of teens, and even college-age females, compare themselves to models that appear in both the articles and the advertisements.  This practice of comparing oneself to models has a direct negative effect on young female's body perception.  


The most common effects of comparison are self-improvement and self-enhancement.  Self-improvement is defined as "an individual's attempt to learn how to improve or to be inspired to improve a particular attribute" (22).  Self-enhancement is defined as "an individual's biased attempt to maintain positive views of him/herself to protect or enhance self-esteem" (22).  Both of these effects can be practiced in both positive and negative ways.  However, if they are practiced in a negative way it can have detrimental effects on a person's self esteem.


Have you ever found yourself comparing yourself to a model in a magazine or on TV?  How do you feel when you compare yourself to others?  Share your thoughts below.


Source: JSTOR