Media has a profound impact on how we perceive ourselves and others, and it plays a crucial role in shaping societal standards and expectations. When the media fails to represent diverse bodies, it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and exclusions that affect people’s self-esteem, mental health, and access to care.
As doulas, we are dedicated to supporting all individuals through their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys. This commitment extends beyond the physical aspects of our work to advocating for representation and inclusivity in all areas, particularly in media.
Here we will aim to explore the importance of challenging media representation and why diverse bodies truly matter.
Media representation encompasses the portrayal of various body types, races, genders, and abilities across television, film, advertising, and social media. When we see ourselves reflected in the media, it can validate our existence and experiences.
Conversely, a lack of representation can lead to feelings of invisibility and unworthiness. For pregnant folks, seeing their body types represented can affirm that their bodies are normal and capable, which is particularly crucial during a time of significant physical and emotional change.
It is essential for the media to represent diverse bodies in positive ways
Pregnancy and postpartum periods are times when body image can be especially vulnerable.
The media’s portrayal of the “ideal” pregnant body often excludes larger bodied individuals, leading to a narrow perception of what a healthy pregnancy looks like.
This exclusion can make larger bodied individuals feel alienated and ashamed of their bodies, impacting their self-esteem and mental health.
Research has shown that body dissatisfaction can contribute to anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, all of which can be exacerbated during pregnancy and postpartum.
When the media represents only one type of pregnant body, it sends a message that only those bodies are acceptable or beautiful.
This is simply not true.
Everybody is unique and capable of nurturing life, and this diversity should be celebrated, not hidden.
Media often perpetuates harmful stereotypes about body size.
Bigger bodied individuals are frequently depicted as lazy, unhealthy, or lacking self-control.
These stereotypes are not only false but damaging.
They contribute to stigma and discrimination that bigger bodied individuals face in many areas of life, including healthcare.
You’ll often see fat bodies without faces or zoomed in angles of areas of extra adipose tissue.
This takes the human element out of the photo and represents fat folks by pieces of our bodies versus our whole beings.
During pregnancy, this stigma can lead to biased care and inadequate support.
Healthcare providers may make assumptions about a larger bodied pregnant person’s health based solely on their size, rather than considering their overall health and individual needs.
This bias can result in less personalized care, increased stress, and negative health outcomes for both the parent and the baby.
To challenge these stereotypes and promote inclusivity, it is essential for the media to represent diverse bodies in positive and empowering ways.
This includes showcasing larger-bodied pregnant individuals as strong, capable, and healthy. It also means highlighting the experiences and stories of marginalized groups, such as people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities.
Representation is not just about seeing different bodies; it’s about changing perceptions and creating a more inclusive society. When diverse bodies are represented in media, it can lead to:
1. Increased Acceptance and Self-Love: Seeing diverse bodies in media can help individuals accept and love their own bodies. It normalizes differences and encourages a broader understanding of beauty and health.
2. Improved Healthcare Experiences: Positive representation can challenge biases in healthcare, leading to better, more personalized care. Healthcare providers who see diverse bodies in media are more likely to recognize and respect the uniqueness of each patient.
3. Create supportive communities. This is especially important for pregnant and postpartum individuals who benefit Enhanced Support Networks: When people see themselves represented, they are more likely to seek out and from a strong support network.
Body representation in media is not just a matter of aesthetics
As doulas, advocating for better representation in the media is a natural extension of our commitment to inclusivity and support. Here are some ways we contribute to this change:
1. Educate and Raise Awareness: Use our platforms to educate others about the importance of diverse representation. Share stories, articles, and images that showcase a variety of body types and experiences.
2. Support Diverse Media: Promote and support media that represents diverse bodies positively.
This can include social media accounts, television shows, movies, and publications that celebrate inclusivity.
We purchase stock photos from local and national photographers that include a variety of bodies.
3. Challenge Stereotypes: Speak out against harmful stereotypes and advocate for accurate, respectful portrayals of larger bodied and marginalized individuals.
We write to media producers, participate in public discussions, and use social media to highlight these issues.
We will often email clothing companies specifically and advocate for them to make larger sizes and to showcase different bellies!
4. Create Inclusive Content: We try to prioritize inclusivity by using images and stories that reflect a wide range of experiences and body types.
5. Admit When We Miss The Mark: In our professional practices, we don’t always get it right.
When a client or instagram follower emails or messages us and lets us know we’ve done something incorrectly or have the opportunity to do better, we listen, we explore, we educate, repair if we’ve harmed someone, and we try to do better next time.
Diverse body representation in media is not just a matter of aesthetics; it is a vital aspect of promoting self-acceptance, challenging stereotypes, and improving the overall well-being of individuals.
For pregnant and postpartum individuals, seeing themselves represented in media can affirm their worth and capabilities, leading to better mental and physical health outcomes.
We are committed to advocating for a more inclusive media landscape. By challenging harmful stereotypes and supporting diverse representation, we can create a society where all bodies are celebrated and respected.
This, in turn, will lead to a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone, especially those going through the transformative experience of pregnancy and childbirth.
Let’s work together to ensure that all bodies, in their beautiful diversity, are seen, respected, and celebrated. Because when diverse bodies matter, everyone benefits.