She Looks Confident, But I Don’t Want to Be Like Her: Young Women’s Opinions Towards Average-Sized Model Images on Social Media
Abstract
Social media has been widely linked to negative body image among women, leading body-positive movements to advocate for greater representation of average-sized bodies. However, qualitative research that directly explores women's responses to such representations, particularly in non-Western contexts, remains limited. This study conducted in-depth interviews with 20 Chinese female university students to examine their perceptions of average-sized model images on social media. Findings indicate that while these images may temporarily alleviate body dissatisfaction, the effect often stems from downward social comparisons rather than genuine body acceptance. Although participants expressed admiration for the confidence displayed by these models, they remained hesitant to identify with such body types due to the deeply internalized thin-ideal. Importantly, images emphasizing body functionality generated more positive responses. Furthermore, participants displayed critical ambivalence toward average-sized representations, indicating that such strategies may have limited effectiveness as a mainstream body-positive intervention.
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References
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