Reader Survey Results:

In conjunction with NOW Foundation's Love Your Body Day, NOW asked readers to voice their opinions on the portrayal of women and girls in popular culture. More than 200 respondents sent in thoughtful answers along a wide spectrum of body image issues. Here is a summary of the results:

1) What advertisement, TV show, movie, trend or product most annoys you in its treatment of women's and/or girl's bodies?

The three most popular answers:

• Calvin Klein advertising
• "Ally McBeal"
• "Baywatch"

2) What positive images of women's and/or girl's appearances have you seen in the media recently?

The three most popular answers:

• Camryn Manheim, Emmy winner from the TV show "The Practice"
• Nike advertisements, such as the slogans "If you let me play" and "Skinny is OUT!"
• Many answered "None," finding no positive images of women/girls in the media Other common responses:  Rosie O'Donnell, Women's National Basketball Association, Special K commercials showing middle-aged women and men, Oprah Winfrey, Body Shop ads, Mode magazine featuring plus-size and muticultural models.

a) Absolutely  91%          c) No              2%
b) Somewhat  6%           d) No answer  1%
 
 

4) What misconception of how women/girls are "supposed" to look would you most like to see disappear forever?

Almost everyone who answered expressed frustration with the idea that all women should be thin.  Women and girls feel bombarded with the cultural myth that an anorexic "waif" look is the ideal way to look sexy, healthy and attractive.  One respondent noted that "you are never small enough until you disappear altogether."  Many others pointed to the unrealistic Barbie doll or Playboy-type body — big breasts, narrow waists and long legs.

Also listed were the following:  the expectation that women and even girls have to look sexy, that body hair on women is considered unattractive or unfeminine and must be shaved, the belief by some that women who are physically strong or assertive are less feminine, portrayals of women as submissive/passive, crippling high heels, and the fact that any "supposed-to" look exists at all.
 
 

5) What can NOW and feminists do in general to help promote healthier attitudes about women's and girl's bodies?

Most popular answers:

•   Educate at a young age, targeting grade school and junior high school students
•   Speak out against negative portrayals of women and girls in the media; write letters and send petitions to the offenders
•   Refrain from calling other women "fat" or other negative names
•   Don't say "I'm fat," "I'm ugly," "I look awful," around your daughters; set an example for girls/young women that looks are not the measure of someone's worth
•   Don't support businesses that promote harmful products or attitudes
•   Pressure companies to use more realistic models to sell their products
•   Stop buying fashion magazines that portray women as wire hangers
•   Create our own positive media images through campaigns like Love Your Body Day
•   BE YOURSELF, LOVE YOURSELF