Media and Body Image: Analyzing Self-Objectification Theory Across Different Ages of Women

This research paper examines the impact of media exposure and chronological age on women’s feelings of objectification and self-worth in Lahore City, Pakistan, drawing upon feminist Objectification Theory. Utilizing the Self-Objectification Theory framework, the study investigates how media portrayals of idealized beauty standards influence women’s perceptions of their bodies, leading to self-objectification. A quantitative approach was employed, surveying 200 women, including 147 college-aged individuals and 53 retirees. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire incorporating scales on body surveillance, self-esteem, body control, and media influence, and analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal significant age-related differences in self-objectification tendencies. Older women reported higher body surveillance scores ( M = 3.11, SD = 1.12) compared to younger women ( M = 2.64, SD = 0.94), as well as higher scores in body control ( M = 3.19 vs. M = 2.94, p < .05). Contrary to expectations, retirees also scored higher on self-esteem measures ( M = 2.11, SD = 0.91) compared to college-aged women ( M = 2.09, SD = 0.82), reflecting resilience to media influence. Additionally, a moderate positive correlation ( r = .42, p < .001) was observed between body surveillance and media influence, confirming the pervasive role of media in shaping body image across generations. These results challenge the notion that younger women are disproportionately affected by self-objectification and emphasize the sustained impact of media on older women. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions, including media literacy programs, to empower women across age groups by promoting critical engagement with media and fostering positive body image.