Slim Hopes: Advertising & the Obsession With Thinness
http://www.mediaed.org
Jean Kilbourne’s award-winning video offers an in-depth analysis of how female bodies are depicted in advertising images and the devastating effects of those images on women’s health. Addressing the relationship between these images and the obsession of girls and women with dieting and thinness, Slim Hopes offers a new way to think about life-threatening eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and a well-documented critical perspective on the social impact of advertising.
Slim Hopes is a lively and engaging program suitable for a wide range of audiences at high schools, colleges and universities. Using over 150 ads, it informs as it entertains, allowing viewers to build an analytic framework for considering the impact of advertising on women’s health.
Duration : 0:5:10
[youtube C7143sc_HbU]
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
2:06
thats just …
2:06
thats just gross … she looks like a stick … give me monroe any day
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Well if it bares no …
Well if it bares no importance, why mention it? The very definition of a cigarette requires it to be small. If you’re not an idiot, you don’t need its size advertised to you.
It’s like describing an orange as “orange”. Yeah… we get that from the name. Tell us something useful.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I think she’s going …
I think she’s going a bit too far with the cigarette ads. The words “slim” “sleek”, etc are being used because its describing the shape of the cigarette.
Sometimes I think this lady reads a little TOO much into things.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I wish it had …
I wish it had subtitles in spanish so I can show it to my classmates :S Anyways, it’s really good!
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I have to say, I …
I have to say, I think this video is very good. It’s short and simple, but very effective. Being a teenager, I have seen my share of videos similar to this, but I like how it tells other people about the dangers, not just preaching at “at-risk” teenage or preteen girls, and even boys. I love how she mentions that most of the models are born with that body shape because it reminds us that very few people can actually look like that. Excellent points.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I think a spring …
I think a spring might have come loose in my brain just from trying to read your horrible, broken english.
Maybe if you ate something, you’d be more coherent.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I agree. It is the …
I agree. It is the media who’ve spun up the notion of ‘thinness’ to be synonymous with beauty, power and success. As you say, naturally thin women just happen to be the unlucky ones who bear the consequences of it all.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I totally agree …
I totally agree with you there, but I was merely pointing out that it’s not thin women’s fault that their bodies are upheld as the standard right now.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Indeed not. But it …
Indeed not. But it is quite clear to see the difference between an anorexic woman and a ‘naturally thin’ woman. VERY few women naturally are that thin. It is an advantage to a woman to carry extra fat so she can support a healthy baby. This is WHY women are the shape they are, and, naturally, men are attracted to it.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
You are right; …
You are right; anorexia/bulimia in males is NOT a new thing, but it is certainly more prevalent now than it was 10 years ago. It may be true that it was not reported as often, too, like you say. Only in recent years has advertising depicted men as ‘perfect’, muscular and toned, while the ‘thin’ female ideal has been around for much longer.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Why wasn’t it true? …
Why wasn’t it true? Anorexia in males isn’t a new thing, perhaps just even less reported back when this video was made?
Other than that, great comment! Got me really hot again!
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
There’s no need to …
There’s no need to be so defensive. It is a well established fact that nowadays around 10% anorexia is in males, but this was not true when this video was made. None of what people are saying is a personal slight against you, so get off your high horse and calm down. And there’s no need for the swearing. I have bulimia, too, before you comment on me not knowing anything about this stuff.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
A lot has changed …
A lot has changed since this was created. Men are far more body obsessed these days than they used to be. Ironically, most of the men I know are more attracted to women with curves.
Oh, a friend of mine worked with Kate Moss, said she was wicked to work with and ate pretty much whatever she wanted to. Kate is not anorexic, just skinny.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
…
soooooooooooooooooooooooooo true!
thanx 4 posting
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I agree. I’m as …
I agree. I’m as tired of seeing all these totally bony models as others, but that doesn’t mean we should victimise women who are naturally thin.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Just like anorexia …
Just like anorexia is an illness and unhealthy for the body extreme obesity is also unhealthy, so I don’t think saying ‘fat is beautiful’ is quite appropriate. Every body type is beautiful but those who are on the extreme ends of either side to the point that it is unhealthy for them should seek to recitfy that so they can live a healthy and long life.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I agree, whatever …
I agree, whatever size you are, you should accept people, and even thought this seems unimaginalbe, boys actually develop anorexia too
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
oh im sorry
i … 
i ment like too slim :/ i didnt make it clear enough , apologies
oh im sorry
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
While I agree with …
While I agree with the film, I do NOT agree with you, indrreee. You said that “slim” is “just gross”? I’m slim. You’re calling me gross? You should love and accept ALL healthy body types, not just the one that you have. Body-acceptance means EVERY-BODY.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
this is very useful …
this is very useful and informative , thanks for sharing , i agree with all the points mentioned , ppl need to land back to earth and return to reality , fat is beautiful , slim .. anorexic .. is just gross .
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I didn’t say it …
I didn’t say it wasn’t…obviously this is a huge problem. I know I feel beautiful, but the rest of society has a different opinion. KWIM?
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I really liked your …
I really liked your video and your channel. If you need any help getting this video or channel exposed I use a site called tubeviews.(net) It has really helped like 20 of my main videos get to the top in position. Its nice.
Nice.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I know… these …
I know… these fragile cannot stand not being victims… no one is pointing a gun at your head telling you to be a .. I am bombarded by the same ads, you dont see me shoving two fingers down my throath… GOD ing crybabies…
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
One of the …
One of the cigarette slogans is ‘the slimmest slim’. What a combination, dangerously underweight models and the destructive terror that is tobacco.
September 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Marilyn Monroe is …
Marilyn Monroe is so beautiful!! she’s thing there. i don’t know how they can say that she is ‘overweight’ or w.e.. she has a body to die for!