Alexandra Mosquera Netzkarsch / Staff Writer
Body image is a subject that concerns many. The way people deal with it varies based on their geographical location, gender and other factors. However, college students in particular struggle with this issue.
I talked to several students, both men and women, about this topic, and the answers vary from one person to another. Some “go with the flow” and embrace the ideal body type in Miami. Others despise it and boycott the trends by wearing sweat pants, loose-fitting shirts and not being airbrushed before leaving the house every morning.
As a teen, I invested a lot of time analyzing the way I looked. I had a hard time determining what the “right” body type was and which one I wanted. I felt a lot of pressure from boys, classmates, T.V. and society in general.
Years after overthinking the way I looked, I questioned why I cared so much about body image. I came to realize it was never a matter of how people saw me or what they expected of me, but it was about how I felt about myself.
When I started college in the United States, I noticed young men and women have different perceptions of their body image. Some caved in completely with the illusion of having a “perfect body” guided by the images presented to them on T.V., movies, billboards and other outlets. Others didn’t care as much about the beauty standards set by western culture.
Of course, there are people that take care of themselves for their health and well-being, but don’t crack under the constant judgment by society. For instance, I spend between three to eight hours at the Biscayne Bay Campus each day in class, but on breaks I work out, attend study groups and sometimes do yoga — and I do this for myself.
College students in Miami put more effort into their appearance compared to other places I’ve studied like in Newark, N.J., or in San Jose, Calif. The majority of female college students in these cities don’t wear makeup to school and usually dress in jeans, a t-shirt and hoodie.
When traveling to Miami, people expect to see women with big breasts, toned bodies and tanned skin. And plenty women do bare a lot of skin, wearing dresses, skirts and short shorts. Tourists also plan to see shirtless men with lots of muscles — which is not entirely false, as many guys wear extra small tank tops and shorts in flashy colors.
But do people who bare more skin have more confidence than the people who don’t, or does self-confidence inspire a healthier body image?
I want to have a positive body image and be confident, but I have to fake it sometimes. I wear dresses and shorts because I like my body and don’t mind showing that. However, sometimes when I am not feeling as confident, I force myself to walk with my head held high.
This week is Love Your Body Week, at BBC and the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. Several University organizations will be hosting events to teach students ways to appreciate their body and counteract negative body image.
Different factors contribute to positive self-esteem and body image. I’ve learned that ignoring what people think of my appearance and being happy with who I am as a person works best.
-opinion@fiusm.com
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