When I think about media distortions and representations of daily life I can't help but think of how our problems, illnesses, the worst we have to offer is put in front of us every day. For better or worse, mass communication spreads news more quickly than before. There seems to be more of everything now and of course it's been argued if what's happening is really new at all, or if we're just hearing about it now. (Did you know that 9 out 10 people put their peanut butter on before their jelly? Isn't that cool? I would never have know that if not for the internet.)
Anyway, this week I did some thinking about what MIGHT have been created by the media, and the one thing that came to me was the "pro-anorexia pro-bulimia" trend that has surfaced in the last several years and is still going strong. In this case I can almost see what Beach describes as media creating its own reality. However, I would claim instead, that the distorted message strongly influenced young girls and women who in turn put a new spin of those existing mental illnesses.
There seems to be a strong connection between celebrities and media representations of eating disorders and their victims that makes them very appealing in a way, which has lead to this wave of "pro ana" and "pro mia" groups. In addition, these groups flourish in the cyber-community, yet another facet of how media effects this trend. This probably isn't news to some of you, but I felt it was particularly appropriate for those of us who do plan on educating adolescents who are facing this new trend. I searched around for links I thought you guys might find interesting, which are listed below.
Pro Ana Nation (You can't get into this one without clicking through two disclaimers.)
World's Largest Pro Anorexia Site (This is the name, I don't know if that's true.)
bluedragonfly.org
shiveringnaked.org
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