Here is Why Mannequins are responsible for the Rise of ‘Body Image’ Issues!
- Most of the mannequins occupying the fashion-stores are not only disturbingly thin, and possess quite unusual and chiseled looks
- It has been revealed that eating disorders, thyroid problems are among the number of issues that are caused due to such shapes
- Altering the shape and size of the regular mannequins will not resolve the issues and solve the body-image problems in an instant
June 22, 2017: When we walk into a retail shop or a clothing store, we are confronted by mannequins whose shapes are nothing that resemble most of the girls and the women that we know. Most of the mannequins occupying the fashion-stores are not only disturbingly thin, and possess quite unusual and chiseled looks.
Mannequins are found to have unusual body types that can be matched almost to a severely underweight woman. Now, this unrealistic representation of the human body is not only confined to female mannequins; the male counterparts of those life-sized statues are not any different. But the women of the society have been observed to be more affected by this unrealistic representation of the human shape, because body-image issues impact the women more than it does so to the men.
Surveys and research all over the world show that multiple diseases and problems are caused by the mannequins with their 'emaciated' body shapes. It has been revealed that eating disorders, thyroid problems are among the number of issues that are caused due to such shapes; as women, mostly children and teenagers and the young adults, tend to acquire the unrealistic chiseled shapes like the model mannequins of the store as the fashion clothing on those are appealing to the extreme. Hence, the desire to possess such a body results into eating disorders and multiple other problems including the heavy obsession with surgeries and intake of steroids and such stimulators that affect the muscles and the cells. Failing to do that, one falls prey to depression. It has become a widespread issue around the globe now.
In young girls, the obsession for dolling up and looking perfect like the hugely famous Barbie doll is quite an old issue. The ultra-thin mannequins donning attractive outfits in the fashion stores, take that issue one step further as to leading the young girls into believing that the body shapes flaunted by those mannequins are the standardized representation of a perfect female form. Hence, an overweight kid is often found to be depressed or suffering from inferiority complex, born from the fear of not being accepted into the society.
Absurdly thin mannequins have been an age-old topic of conversation. But, given the rise of body-positivity and abolishing the social stigma of fat-shaming and body-image issues, the unrealistic representation of the female body by the mannequins, is a much-researched concern now.
Altering the shape and size of the regular mannequins will not resolve the issues and solve the body-image problems in an instant. It has to be communicated to the young girls, adolescents, and the young-adult females of the society, that the unattainable body-shape showcased by the mannequins, is not the ideal human form to chase after! Also, the society needs to become more open-minded, less judgmental, and way more accepting in order to lift the curse posed by body-image issues. We still have a long way to go. But the change should begin now, the time has arrived!
