Media Influence on Unrealistic Beauty Standards and Their Effect on Body Image

This study analyzes how various media, including films, television, and advertisements, shape and reinforce unrealistic beauty standards. Through a literature review, this research identifies theoretical frameworks on body image and gender. A case study of the film The Substance (2024) is used to explore the impact of unrealistic beauty standards on women. Furthermore, this study investigates the effect of such beauty standards on men and the queer community through an in-depth analysis of popular advertisements and television programs. The findings show that media, in its various forms, play a central role in fueling body image disturbances and widespread self-dissatisfaction across gender groups, affecting both women and men.