Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

A.  Background of the Study

Aside from looks, body figure is the first factor that society finds in a fashion model because thin models are the best models for clothing products. Modelling agencies think that they could have a better presentation if they use thin girls as their endorsers. That is why some girls are being submissive and inclined to look thin the way how fashion models look like. Jill Lee, a web writer and medical transcriptionist, states that in order to be in the fashion industry, every aspiring model should at least, have resources in order to say that ‘you have what it takes to be a fashion model’. (http://smallbusiness.chron.com/pressures-modeling-industry-38285.html)

Fashion models find difficulty in attaining the high standards that were imposed by the fashion industry and modelling agencies. Most of the models take pills, cigarettes and different kinds of drugs to restrain their appetite and hold off hunger for them to maintain their required body figure as models. Even cotton balls were eaten by models for the filling of their stomach (http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG9524919/From-cocaine-to-eating-cotton-wool-balls-how-models-stay-thin.html).

According to Laura Clark and Steve Doughty, "Experts warned that erratic meal patterns at such a young age could lead to girls developing eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia or compulsive eating as well as health problems associated with them as the body is deprived of nutrients."

Young girls feel pressured about losing weight that leads them to have a perspective and mind set of being slim as a necessity in order to be beautiful like fashion models. They become aware of their insecurities and become more conscious in body weight. Study shows that young girls ages 10-15 years old tend to skip meals particularly breakfast and lunch in order to lose weight easily. (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1219960/The-girls-living-just-meal-day-Teens-risk-health-copy-stick-celebrities-eating-disorder-anorexia-bulimia.html#ixzz0Ts0zP6KP)

Models portray a big role to girls, for that will be every girl’s basis for ideal weight and body and improving as individual, can maintain positive views of herself. Based on the study about the negative influence of fashion models to young girls, comparing physical attractiveness with the fashion models affects one’s self identity and lead girls to evaluate and improve their appearance due to what they have compared. It influences teens or school girls’ perceptions of what constitutes an acceptable level of physical attractiveness. (http://www.fsc.yorku.ca/york/rsheese/psyc1010/wiki/index.php/How_do_models_negatively_influence_self_percetion_%26_beauty_ideals%3F)

Although society, particularly young girls, adapts the standards of beauty for women, there is still a problem about the increasing number of anorexic girls. The standard weight for models affects the girls’ consciousness about their body figure. Hence, there is a need of conducting this study because of the issue about the cases of anorexia.

This study focuses more on how fashion models affect school girls’ self-identity and how young girls deal with the pressure.

B.  Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer this question:

1.    How do fashion models affect school girls’ self-identity?

C.  Significance of the Study

Fashion Models.  This study would help fashion models to understand the negative effects of fashion industry’s high standards and to better evaluate their role in the society.

School Girls. Youth girls, school girls to be exact, would benefit from this study because they will have an idea about the pressure that other young girls experience brought by fashion models and how to cope up with the society and fashion industry.

Parents.  Through this research paper, parents will be aware of the things and people that may affect or influence their child’s attitude.

D.  Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on the factors that affect school girls’ self-identity brought by fashion models. The pressure that young girls feel when they look at fashion models and how fashion models cope up with the standards of fashion industry or modelling agency would be the main topic of this research.

To give an overview about the effects of fashion industry’s high standards not just to fashion models but to young girls also is the purpose of this study. Health issues are included since it is part of the study as it is one of the effects.

School girls with different ages were the chosen respondents for a survey since they are involved in this issue. They are exposed in the world of fashion and more aware of the standards of fashion industry compared to adults.

    

E.  Materials and Methods

Correlation method was used to conduct this research because it involves two different variables and determines the connection of each other. Through this method, we determine that fashion models in some way, are related to school girls. It is indeed a negative correlation because the more likely teens see a fashion model, they tend to feel pressure.

There are survey forms and questionnaires that were given to respondents which are the school girls. Articles that are posted online and other book references were used as part of the research.

F.  Definition of Terms

Fashion Industry.  Makers and sellers of fashionable clothing.

Fashion Models.  A woman who wears clothes to display fashions.

School Girls.  A schoolgirl is a girl attending either primary or secondary school, generally aged between four and eighteen years old.

Modeling Agency.  A company that represents fashion models, to work for the fashion industry. These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the model and or the head agency.

Self-Identity.  The recognition of one’s potential and qualities as an individual, especially in relation to social context. Or also called ‘self-concept”, is one's concept of oneself, including the perceptions one has about one's abilities, flaws, status, and worth.