"Blame The Media"

We have to face reality that the media can really mess us up as consumers, especially women. The media tries to sell you things. Tells you what's normal and what's not. It has these high superficial standards of how women should look and how to attain those standards. I'll say that for a while the media really messed me up. I saw all these gorgeous women and thought "Damn I don't have that slim stomach," or "Why isn't my hair that color or length?" This was a time when all my insecurities where surfacing all at once. I know that I'm not the only one that has been affected by this. Then the turning point came when I just said F this. I can't reach those standards. That's completely unrealistic. This is the body I have and I have to embrace it. Now you might think that I completely despise the media but I don't, I think the usual accusation to "Blame the media" is a cop out. Yes the media is at fault but it's time to liberate ourselves

I agree the media has a large negative impact on our society. But we are the ones that allowed it to become so big. We became so fascinated with it that we continued to fund it, we wanted more. We buy the magazines, the products, glamor over the images all the while constantly comparing ourselves. It's time for us to say I will be the one to determine that I'm beautiful. I won't let the TV or magazines determine my worth. I am the only one that can do me like me and I have realize my own beauty.

After all that's said I then wonder how can we expect more from this advertising giant. How can we expect it to raise our kids and set an example when its job is to manipulate us into thinking their norms should become our norms. Shouldn’t parents and other individuals make a conscious decision to use their own logic. Especially parents who have kids looking to them for answers. Why should the media take the blame for their irresponsibility to do better. Blame the media all you want, just know that it will never be an heaven of morals and logic. All we can do is try to change who they advertise but the message will probably never change.

The media is not the place to go to ask if you're beautiful. The person to ask is yourself.

What do you think? Should all the blame be directed to the media? Or does the blame lie with us? or Neither?