Negative Impact Of The Beauty Industry On Teen Body Image Among Nigerian Students

This study was carried out on the negative impact of the beauty industry on teen body image among Nigerian students using some selected secondary schools in Abraka Metropolis, Delta State as a case study. The study was specifically set to determine whether the beauty industry has an impact on Nigerian students, determine whether the beauty industry contributes to teen obsession towards body image beauty, find out whether the beauty industry negatively influences teens perception of Self body image, and determine whether the beauty industry negatively influences teens" self-confidence towards their body image. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of teachers and students of selected secondary schools in Abraka Metropolis, Delta State. In determining the sample size, the researcher purposefully selected 200 respondents and 150 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables, while the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that the beauty industry has a significant impact on Nigerian students. The study also revealed that the beauty industry negatively influences teens perception of Self body image. Further findings showed that the beauty industry contributes to teens" obsession towards body image beauty. Therefore, it is recommended that there is an immediate need for recognition of the root cause of teen"s manipulation by the beauty industry: rigid, patriarchal beauty norms. This recognition must be accompanied by the rejection of such standards by not just teens, but the society as a whole. To mention but a few.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Body image refers to a person"s feelings of the aesthetics and sexual attractiveness of their own body. The phrase body image was first coined by the Austrian neurologist and psychoanalyst Paul Schilder in his book The Image and Appearance of the Human Body (1935) cited in http//wikipedia.com. National Eating Disorders (2014). offers the following definitions on body image:

"Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. It encompasses what you believe about your own appearance (including your memories, assumptions, and generalizations).

How you feel about your body, including your height, shape, and weight and how you sense and control your body as you move. How you feel in your body, not just about your body.

Human society has at all times placed great value on beauty of the human body, but a person"s perception of their own body may not correspond to society"s standards.

Media Smarts(2014) says advertising, particularly for fashion and cosmetics, has a powerful effect on how we see ourselves and how we think we should look. Women"s magazines in particular have a tremendous influence on body image, with researchers reporting that teenage girls rely heavily on them for information on beauty and fashion, valuing their advice nearly as highly as that of their peers

It is observed that dangerously underweight models are often not seen as being thin enough by editors, who employ Photoshop and other image manipulation tools to create women who are literally "too thin to be true" as well as to alter photos of celebrities so they meet this standard. Men in magazines are also frequently "photoshopped" to achieve the lean and muscular ideal.

According to Medimark Research Inc., a marketing research company, teenagers are important to marketers because they "have significant discretionary income; spend family money, as well as influence their parents" spending on both large and small household purchases; establish and affect fashion, lifestyle, and overall trends; and provide a "window" into our society a view of how it is now and what it is likely to become.

Almost half of the space of the most popular magazines for adolescent girls is made up of advertisements. In an effort to further reach young men with advertisements, branded content is now being included in video games as well. Researches are trying to determine whether or not these advertisements shape the body image and self-esteem of the impressionable teenagers that view them.

The definition of adolescence differs from culture to culture as maturity is defined with respect to variety of factors in different societies. Considering the complications, no internationally accepted definition of adolescence has been formed. Nevertheless, the United Nations (2011) defined adolescents as individuals who are between the ages of
10-19. It has given two divisions of adolescents which are early adolescence aged from 10-14 years and late adolescents from 15-19 years. During this period children go through various physical and psychological changes and start making adjustments to their behavior or appearance trying to fit in with the perceived norms.

Adolescents today, face varieties of issues and body image is also one of them. Body image is how someone perceives one"s own body and appearance, what he/she likes about it and what he/she doesn"t (TARSHI, 2010). Body image issues may include wanting to be taller, thinner, more muscular, with clearer or fair skin and so on. A study conducted in America with high school girls, found that by age 13, 53% were not satisfied with their body and the number increased with age as 78% of girls over 18 were dissatisfied (Wolf, 2002). Body image can remain relatively constant over time but may change in certain contexts which may include specific age vulnerabilities and variations after media exposure or health status alterations (Neagu, 2015).

With the growing influence of technology, in particular television and social media children today are becoming more and more conscious about their looks and spending more time on enhancing it or trying to look "perfect". Media with the over representation of women with slim bodies, clear skin and men with muscular bodies have created a negative impact on its viewers. However, it is not only media which shapes our body image. Body image could be influenced by individual factors, media, peers, family environment and other cultural factors (Common sense media, 2015). The cultures we are brought up in and the traditions we are exposed to instill some kind of beauty standards in our head. Those beauty myths conformed by society in turn help to shape our body image.

Lyrics such as Gham Le Malai Sataula, Kaali Malai Banaula or Baruli Kammar in songs represent strong beauty myths created by our society (Gautam, 2015). Likewise, in Nepal we have this pre supposed belief that having bigger eyes or eyes with double eye lid are more beautiful than the chinky eyes or having a smaller feet is more beautiful for women. In addition to this, having a comparatively darker skin in our society especially for women or girls is not considered so beautiful as it is assumed that in future it will be hard for her to find a husband suggesting that beauty is only defined through one"s physical appearance like there is no weight to one"s intelligence, good heart and hard work. Shubha Kayastha, a young feminist in her article "Body Shaming" published in "The Republica" writes how she got her nickname "Kali" as she remembers her mother telling her that she was born with a darker skin compared to what she has now, so she would hide her forehead with the back of her saree while taking her to the hospital and elsewhere to avoid unnecessary comments about the skin color from others. Besides culture and family, peers too play a significant role in shaping our body image particularly in adolescence. Adolescents spend most of the time with their friends in schools which mean their ideas and opinions matters much to them. They try to fit in the circle by sharing similar beliefs and values. Hence, peer"s perception and comments on one"s physical appearance has a strong influence on body image.

The expectations and values of society can be followed with disappointments and frustrations when one will not be able to meet the pre- defined standards. When we comment on someone"s appearance like "you have gained weight" or may be "you should do something with your acne", we do not think how these comments will remain in the other person"s memory for a long time and how it can bother them. Researches on body image in western countries have found that body dissatisfaction can take on serious impacts like eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia and other self esteem related problems which may eventually lead to depression as well as other behavioral problems such as smoking, excessive exercise and so on. Cosmetic surgery and laser treatments are also becoming popular due to physical dissatisfactions. According to Wertheim and Paxton (2012), studies have indicated that most adults with body dysmorphic disorder had developed the symptoms in their middle adolescence; therefore adolescents could be considered as having an increased risk for developing eating and body image pathology (Neagu, 2015).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Adolescents nowadays are in pressure for looking "perfect". They are in pressure to meet the beauty standards proposed by the society through various mediums like media, culture, peers and family. Beauty standards may directly or indirectly shape the body image of a person. Beauty standards may vary from culture to culture. For instance, while in some African societies gaining weight is considered more beautiful, in most of the other cultures a slim and curvy body is the ideal body type for women. As such, girls may want to look slim and have clear skin with perfect hair while boys may want to be taller with a muscular body. Hence, they may go through eating disorders and may have self esteem problems which might be holding them back to participate in social functions, sports and other activities. Moreover, in April, 2015, France passed a law which banned too thin models, aimed to change the culture of fashion industry which promoted unnatural body image through media (BBC news, 2015). According to the news, over 40,000 people in France are anorexic of which 9 out of 10 are women and girls. Negative impacts of body image have been found in both the western and non western countries where extensive research has been done but it would be interesting to know if adolescents in Nepal where body image is still a new topic to explore, will also show similar impacts or not.

Body image researches in the past have been much focused on the body weight and eating disorders although the term is not only limited to one"s perception of his/her own body weight. It may also include one"s perception of himself/ herself as black, blonde or feeling incompetent and unworthy because of acne desiring much clearer of fairer skin. It may also include wanting to be taller or shorter and so on which might be effecting their self esteem, social relationships and causing behavioral problems. Besides, researchers have been found more interested in the body image of girls/women as compared to boys/men. Hence, this research have focused on both boys and girl adolescents and also have considered body image issues other than weight and eating habits.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to examine the negative impact of the beauty industry on teen body image among Nigerian students.

Other objectives of this study is to:

To determine whether the beauty industry has an impact on Nigerian students.

To determine whether the beauty industry contributes to teen obsession towards body image beauty.

To find out whether the beauty industry negatively influences teens perception of Self body image.

To determine whether the beauty industry negatively influences teens" self-confidence towards their body image.

1.4 Research Questions

These research questions will be answered in this study:

Does the beauty industry have a significant impact on Nigerian students?

Does the beauty industry negatively influence teens? perception of Self body image?

Does the beauty industry contribute to teens" obsession towards body image beauty?

Does the beauty industry negatively influence teens" self-confidence towards their body image?

Is there a significant gender difference on the impact of beauty industry on teens in Nigeria.

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following hypothesis will be tested in this study:

Ho: The beauty industry does not have a negative impact on Nigerian students.

Ha: The beauty industry has a negative impact on Nigerian students.

1.6 Significance of the Study

It is important to start thinking on these issues as more and more children are exposed to the traditional as well as digital media. This study is important to address the issue of body image in the Nigerian context and the need to control its possible growing negative impacts on adolescents. Such study on body image is also helpful in designing adolescent specific program and projects for promoting their physical and mental well being.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on examine the negative impact of the beauty industry on teen body image among Nigerian students. Specifically, this study focuses on determining whether the beauty industry has an impact on Nigerian students, finding out the impacts the beauty industry has an impact on Nigerian students and identify the effects of body image on Nigerian students and teens. The respondents for this study will be obtained from selected secondary schools in Abraka Metropolis, Delta State.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Impact:

A marked effect or influence.

Body Image:

Body image is a person"s thoughts, feelings and perception of the aesthetics or sexual attractiveness of their own body.

Beauty Industry:

The Beauty industry covers a wide variety of personal products (skin care; color cosmetics; hair care; fragrances), beauty appliances (hair dryers; brushes; combs), services (salons; day spas) and related functions (packaging; supply chain).

1.10 Organization of the Studies

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the negative impact of the beauty industry on teen body image among Nigerian students using some selected secondary schools in Abraka Metropolis, Delta State as a case study. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on the negative impact of the beauty industry on teen body image among Nigerian students using some selected secondary schools in Abraka Metropolis, Delta State as a case study.The study was specifically carried out to determine whether the beauty industry has an impact on Nigerian students, determine whether the beauty industry contributes to teen obsession towards body image beauty, find out whether the beauty industry negatively influences teens perception of Self body image, and determine whether the beauty industry negatively influences teens" self-confidence towards their body image.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 150 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent were teachers and students of selected secondary schools in Abraka Metropolis, Delta State.

5.3 Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, the researcher concluded that;

The beauty industry has a significant impact on Nigerian students.

The beauty industry negatively influences teens perception of Self body image.

The beauty industry contributes to teens" obsession towards body image beauty.

The beauty industry negatively influences teens" self-confidence towards their body image.

There is a significant gender difference on the impact of beauty industry on teens in Nigeria.

5.4 Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.

There is an immediate need for recognition of the root cause of teen"s manipulation by the beauty industry: rigid, patriarchal beauty norms. This recognition must be accompanied by the rejection of such standards by not just teens, but the society as a whole.

Parents must be learn and be involved in managing their children"s obsessions towards cosmetics products.

Parents should monitor the programs that their children watches. They should make sure that their children are watching shows that educations them and not overly focused on cosmetics and body image tv shows.

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypothesis

1.6 Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Limitation of the Study

1.9 Definition of Terms

1.10 Organization of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sample Size Determination

3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure

3.5 Research Instrument and Administration

3.6 Method of Data Collection

3.7 Method of Data Analysis

3.8 Validity of the Study

3.9 Reliability of the Study

3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation

4.2 Analysis of Data

4.3 Answering Research Questions

4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3 Recommendation

References

APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE

• Mass Communication Project Topics and Materials