The typical couple portrayed in the five magazines studied was a young, male-female, caucasian couple with thin bodies and no disabilities. As mentioned in the literature review, the media can have powerful effects on individuals. The glamour and beauty depicted throughout magazines produces idealized images and lifestyles. Research has shown a relationship between these idealized images and issues of low self-esteem and life dissatisfaction.
The findings of this content analysis are a total misrepresentation of society. In terms of U.S. demographics, the race and ethnicity division among the wedding couple images is incomparable. Minorities were extremely underrepresented. With all the change and trends toward equality with the Civil Rights Movement, one would think advertisers and marketers in the media would be tracking with the trends. The U.S. has made much progress over the past several decades, but the media seems to be lagging behind. This disregard for the change that has occurred has only furthers stereotypes and causes groups of people to be completely left out or misrepresented.
The stereotypical couple portrayed also misrepresents the population in regards to body type. Out of the 520 images examined, 505 of the couples were thin. However, according to the Los Angeles Times, the average dress size for an American woman is a 14 and the weight, 162.9 pounds.
None of the images contained couples, or individuals for that matter, with disabilities even though the 2009 census reported that 19.5 million people in the U.S. have disabilities. In addition, most all of the couples depicted were young, which is also a misrepresentation of society.
I found the results of this content analysis shocking. I expected more diversity within these publications. As we continue to move forward as a nation, hopefully advertising will catch on and move forward too.
