For my second semester inquiry project, I chose to research the topic, “How does the portrayal of beauty standards by the media contribute to the ongoing presence of body dysmorphia?” I really enjoyed researching this project as it taught me a lot more about the topic that does affect many teenagers in our society.
What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
Throughout this inquiry project, I encountered several challenges, such as distinguishing credible sources, and finding enough points of information to keep readers interested in reading my blog posts and advancing my knowledge on the topics as well. To figure out if my information was credible, I researched further to finding out if the website was well known and trustworthy. Although this was a more time consuming process, it did help in getting the correct information about a topic that goes very in depth. Finding enough points of information about the topic was also difficult especially because I wanted to use credible sources. I was able to overcome these challenges by spending extra time researching and finding more points of information. Also, using the sights other students commented on my post helped me narrow down my research.
How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This inquiry changed the way I think as it helped me understand how harmful media influences can be in shaping unrealistic and narrow beauty ideals. This awareness has deepened my empathy for those struggling with body image issues and has highlighted the importance of promoting diverse and inclusive representations of beauty. It has also made me more critical of media messages and more mindful of the content I consume and share.
How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
This investigation has impacted my future decisions as it has also motivated me to advocate for and support initiatives that challenge harmful beauty standards. I will also work on prioritizing my mental health and body positivity in personal and professional settings, aiming to foster environments where individuals feel valued and confident regardless of their appearance.
What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
This investigation into the portrayal of beauty standards by the media and its contribution to body dysmorphia can have significant local and global impacts. Locally, it can raise awareness within communities about the harmful effects of unrealistic beauty standards, encouraging more supportive and inclusive environments. Globally, it can contribute to bigger movements advocating for media responsibility and diversity in representation. By having these conversations about body positivity and mental health, this investigation can help reduce the prevalence of body dysmorphia and promote healthier self-esteem across different cultures.
I want to once again thank you for following me along this journey and for helping me find answers to my Inquiry question this semester. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog post and I hope I get to share my future research with you!
Until next time,
Anannya Balachandran
