Final Draft/Workshop: Picture Perfect?

Thanks, Michelle for your constructive and useful feedback! Here is the fruit of our labor.

Picture Perfect?

Do you know Ana, Mia, or Ed? When you see these names on the Internet, they are usually referring to the underground lifestyles of people, mostly female, starving to be beautiful. Ana is Anorexia. Mia is Bulimia. Ed stands for eating disorder. According to Eating Disorder Statistics 7 million girls and women (and 1 million males) struggle with eating disorders in the United States alone. Ten percent of persons afflicted reported onset at 10 years old and under; 86 percent by age 20. Though anorexia and bulimia are more widely acknowledged, other types of disorders include compulsive and binge eating, body dysmorphic disorder, and over exercise. Twenty percent of people suffering from a serious eating disorder will die; that equals 50,000 individuals in the average lifetime. New communication technologies including websites, blogs, and chatrooms are enabling a new generation the ability to discuss and promote their "lifestyles" freely and anonymously.

Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder? Is that what the media is selling us? Nikki Katz suggests that the media influences females especially, instilling in us a desire to look like the models featured in fashion mags. Not only do the covers show "perfect 10s," but the pages of these publications are filled with articles concerning "keeping fit, getting toned, losing those last few pounds or other weight-loss nonsense." Is it then surprising to us that Pro-Ana and Mia sites litter the Web with names like Ana World, The Anorexic Files, Fat Like Me, and Starving Beauty? The content is shocking and not for the squeamish. Pictures called "triggers" of super thin models, emaciated bodies, and of the girls themselves are posted in galleries. Anorexia, which is preferred over Bulimia by most, is promoted as "a lifestyle, not a disease." The sites provide a forum that promotes to normalize and encourage starving and vomiting in an effort to stay thin. To gain a pound is considered a sin; "thinspirational" awards are given to those who can lose the most weight. Tips are offered to help deceive parents and avoid having meals with family and friends; BMI (Body Mass Index) calculators are explained, and "safe foods" (e.g. celery, egg whites, black coffee) are listed. Message boards allow members to share and compare accomplishments further encouraging this cult-like mentality. The surprising part is that the supporters of the Pro-Ana movement are not in denial as you might think; they are advocates of the lifestyle and its acceptance by society. They claim not to be victims. They are not hiding but fighting for what they believe in. The scary part is that the visitor counters are exploding. The numbers rank in the thousands. This new virtual community is growing at an alarming rate. What can we do to stop this trend?

Yes, Freedom of Speech allows this to happen. Having and discussing an eating disorder is not illegal, but it is an issue of public safety. Where should the line be drawn? What if your daughter or sister was saying, "Ana is my best friend," or "I will be all bones and just beautiful?" Anyone can gain admission to the sites and acceptance into the community regardless of age or history. The fact is that eating disorders are deadly and potentially fatal. Something must be done to combat the increasing number of sites. Although the American Government made an attempt to restrict these sites, they were defeated by the ACLU and the Freedom of Speech argument. Some Internet companies including Yahoo! and Lycos have blocked Pro-Ana material, but the sites persist under pseudonyms and are still extensively available via other search engines and Web providers. It is up to all of us—family members and friends of present, recovering, and potential victims to push awareness and education. These sites must be restricted or at the least, monitored; we must continue the fight against eating disorders and help those who are dying to be thin.

There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. ~ Sir Francis Bacon

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye. ~ Miss Piggy