Final answer:
The representation of women in sexualized photos can negatively impact young women's body image and generate feelings of jealousy, particularly in high school and college students. Such depictions contribute to societal pressures to conform to an ideal, often unattainable, body image which can result in eating disorders and other mental health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Viewing female athletes in sexualized photos led high school and college women to experience heightened feelings of jealousy and lower self-evaluations of their own bodies. This may be linked to the cultural ideal of thinness amongst women in our society, which is oftentimes perpetuated through the media and images seen in popular culture. Such depictions may contribute to the development of eating disorders and body image concerns amongst young women.
Historically, the female body has been seen as an object of beauty and desire. Feminist artists in the 1960s challenged this by using their bodies in performative art to confront societal norms and beliefs about the female form. More recent artists have also utilized the body and performance art to delve into issues of gender and sexual identity.
This issue goes beyond the realm of art, impacting young women across different domains. High school and college-aged girls, especially dancers, gymnasts, athletes, and women involved in disciplines where physical appearance plays a significant part, may feel increased pressure to uphold these unachievable standards. This observation was explored by Striegel-Moore, R. H., & Cachelin, F. M. in their study concerning body image concerns and disordered eating in adolescent girls.
Learn more about Body Image and Media Influence