What is Body Image?

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http://www.anthonyteacher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/body-image.jpg

BODY IMAGE:

Definition by http://www.merriam-webster.com/
a subjective picture of one's own physical appearance established both by self-observation and by noting the reactions of others

What is body image?

Why is it important to us?

Were we born to chase our ideas of perfection?

What is the perfect body?

Who has the right to say what shape and sizes, what measurements are the optimal? 

What is beauty?

Who do you see in the mirror? Your body, or you, as a person?

There are so many questions about body image.

So much misconception that has been formed since the early ages of humankind.

Civilisation, and evolutions of humans has made us more and more vulnerable to stereotyping, judging.

& what exactly happened?

Remember David? The statue that represented perfection?

In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it."—Michelangelo

http://www.squidoo.com/michelangelosdavid

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaekdzUZXoIsIkCbWI50__wxSJ2pWR9f2gKwA-Xvxdrue4VoIHnOlBnxWEZdNvTnz5oNjSfpoehGKAwWPnGAlqKeCvSNIT0cx6gAy6CdHISbJo2yHsNwcgzuRmTABWi9lS_HREmHYMYRG/s1600/StatueDavid.jpg

Is this how we may label as a perfect image of a man?

and what about in comparison to this version of David? 

 http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q210/mschaut/FatDavidStatue.jpg

What do you see in this photograph?

A man trying hard to lose the weight? and conform to the believed perfect image?

or is he trying to be healthier?

http://files.coloribus.com/files/adsarchive/part_816/8163205/file/advertising-media-body-builder-small-81280.jpg

Is it only a common believe that being ripped is the healthiest form a man can be?

is this the image of health? 

http://sangbleu.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/a1.jpg

or this??

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z195/deperry/Random/DSC_9181.jpg

http://www.mrbestguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Become-a-Fitness-Model.jpg

What about body image in women?

http://img2.sportal.bg/uploads/tinymce/ESPN.jpg

How is this less beautiful compared to this? 

Why has the idea of beauty in women changed throughout the ages?

APHRODITE was the great Olympian goddess of beauty, love, pleasure and and procreation.

http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Aphrodite.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2012/mar/11/art-nudes-have-gone-skinny#/?picture=387159782&index=0

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2012/mar/11/art-nudes-have-gone-skinny#/?picture=387159784&index=1

This is not even natural nor healthy. but considered as the ultimate beauty 

http://www.codkasoomaalida.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/qaliir.jpg

and here comes the part where makeup has taken over the face we have been given. 

http://chuckeicotton.blogspot.com

& last but not least, the infamous plastic surgeries. 

Famous model/actress from hong kong, Angelababy.

Before, After.

http://www.codkasoomaalida.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/qaliir.jpg

& of course, not forgetting Michael Jackson...

(i do not mean any disrespect, he's a legend nonetheless.)

So what is beauty?

Is it only skin deep?