As teenagers navigate their identity, they must make decisions about what to value and how to present themselves. With social media becoming increasingly prevalent in adolescents’ lives, there has been a notable shift in the influence of gender ideologies as teens attempt to conform to society’s expectations of beauty. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison explored the relationship between girls’ identification with ideas related to masculinity and femininity and the way they use social media for validation.
By surveying 463 female high school students, the researchers found that those who identified more closely with masculinity ideology were much more likely to turn to social media sites for validation and appearances. Such behavior reflects a desire on the part of teenage girls to seek affirmation from external sources when attempting to craft their own personal identity and bolster feelings of self-esteem. The research suggests that adolescent girls are evaluating their attractiveness more harshly and may be at risk for developing an unhealthy relationship with their image and body. This problem is further exacerbated by the sheer number of images aimed at encouraging certain ideals of beauty that fill the screens of young women.
In noting the presence of various gender norms and their influence on adolescent girls’ definitions of their beauty, the research further suggests that this could potentially have lasting implications. If young women are frequently making decisions based on the approval of external forces, there is a risk that this cycle of seeking validation devalues their own meaning and self-worth. Furthermore, even if the validation is positive, it is temporary and can never completely meet their need or desire for enduring and internalized self-approval.
The commentary on gender roles and identity also serves as an important reminder that people cannot rely on others to shape their opinions of themselves. The confidence and comfort with oneself that comes from accepting one’s own beauty preferences is not derived from trends defined by others but instead from a personal evaluation of and respect for the self.
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