Topic: Everything's an Argument

In this paper, we will be analyzing “The Culture of Thin Bites Fiji” of the book 'Everything's An Argument'. Ellen Goodman uses an anthropological study to prove her argument in her essay named “The Culture of Thin Bites Fiji”. She considers the culture of Fiji before the introduction of culture on television. In past, television weighing more considered as the desired outcome for women, symbolizing that they have plenty to eat. However, after the incursion of television, Fiji women started imitating the thinner, beautiful actresses on television programs, and it became normal for the young women in that society (LUNSFORD & RUSZKIEWICZ: 215).

Ellen Goodman used a study by Anna Becker, an anthropologist and psychiatrist at the Harvard Eating Disorder Center, to argue that the media and media figures have a negative effect. He also asserted that media does not want to recognize its role in this context. The way adolescent girls view themselves and their body image is also contributing to the eating disorders not only in Fiji, but all around the world.

The media show skinny women as most attractive, popular, and the most desired women by everyone. Actresses make their living by being skinner than other actresses; more skinner they are, more jobs they get, more money they make, and become more famous. This sends the message to teenagers that in order to make money and to be famous or successful; they need to be as thin as those actresses.

However, it is not just in Fiji, where media influences teenagers view about them. It is within the ability of the media, which is exercised in almost all media outlets to make any woman feel perfectly rotten about her shape. Goodman tells us that not only did the media affect the teenagers in Fiji, but the media can ...