Start the Change - Letter to the Editor or Seventeen Magazine

RE:  Body Image in the Media

Bernadette,

I am writing you in regards to the messages you are sending teenage girls within the media.  Seventeen Magazine targets young adolescent girls from 12-20 years of age.  This is a pivotal time for girls in regards to body image, self-esteem and personal aspirations.  You have so much power to either have a positive or detrimental effect on girls. 

I remember as a teenager in high school reading your magazines.  I would stare at the models used and the famous stars depicted on the cover and wonder why I did not look like them.  I was a healthy 16 year old but still would never reach body perfection as shown in your magazines.  All throughout high school I suffered from a poor body image.  I am not saying that your magazine is what caused my insecurities about my body type but I do believe that the content in your magazines did influence it. 

I would like to suggest including women of different body types that all women could relate to in your magazine.  Show happy, healthy and curvy women in your magazines. The majority of girls reading your magazine do not fit the body type that you are displaying.  The average size of the models you use are 0-2 while in reality the average size of women in the United States is size 14.  This is huge difference in what the media is portraying of what women are suppose to look like in comparison to what real women look like. 

Another suggestion that I have for Seventeen Magazine is to include less superficial articles.  I would always read through the magazine and learn about the new trends, make-up tips and dating advice.  In my experience, the majority of the content is centered on outer beauty.  I strongly believe that the magazine should focus more on the inner beauty of each individual girl.  Include more articles about being a better friend, student and daughter not about being a better best kisser.  We need women in today’s society to focus their self-confidence on their character and not about the clothes, make-up or number of boyfriends they have.   

Seventeen has the resources and power to make a difference in the world of media.  Change how the world views beauty.  Beauty is an everyday woman who is strong, happy and independent.  We need to focus on the inner strength, kindness and sensitivity that women are innately given.  There are young girls everywhere that need to know that how they look is great and accepted in society.  Start the change!          

Sincerely,

Rachel Callister