Assignment Task: Judith Rodin coined the term "normative discontent" to describe women's pervasive dissatisfaction with their bodies. Forty-five percent of U.S. households have someone currently on a diet; 55 percent of females between the ages of 25 and 54 are currently "dieting," and a study in California found that 80 percent of fourth-grade girls are currently dieting or have in the past dieted.
Discuss why you think women are more vulnerable to eating disorders than men. How does the media foster a negative body image in women? Discuss specific examples from magazines or advertisements to support your points. You may also want to discuss the recent trend of eating disorders in men. Why do you think this trend is occurring?