For the past few years, one of my absolute favorite shows on television has been Modern Family. This is not unique, as countless Americans have connected with the show's authenticity and humor. The character of Alex, in particular, has resonated with me as a relatable and underrated role model for young women everywhere. While her strong and clever personality is admirable, it is the physical image of the character that has been the most influential for young viewers. When the show started in 2009, Ariel Winter, the actress who plays Alex Dunphy, was 11 years old. Now in season 7 of the show, Ariel is 17 years old. Essentially, America has been able to witness firsthand a woman's transformation from preteen to mature teenager.
This evolution has been influential for a few important reasons. The first of these being that Hollywood is notoriously filled with a very limited set of body types. Alex Dunphy grew to challenge that. She epitomized what it was like to navigate preteen and teenage life for those of us who did not grow into size 0 bodies. While there is nothing wrong with stars who have naturally thin body types, it sends the wrong message for the rest of the nation's youth who feel the need to compare themselves to only that. The character of Alex provides some relief and comfort from that status quo. Additionally, Ariel Winter seemed to undergo this transformation with the poise that promotes self-acceptance of viewers' own body types. This was apparent despite some of the actress's admitted hardships.
In a 2015 interview with US Weekly, Ariel Winter revealed the criticisms she received as a result of her differing body type. US Weekly reported the media and the Internet "would mercilessly pick on her for her clothes, weight, and breast size." This fact epitomizes the sad truth of our society. We have come to accept only one version of conventional female beauty, and to wrongfully ridicule anyone who deviates from that vision. Although it has been difficult for Winter, she has unknowingly provided a model of mature beauty for teenagers everywhere learning to accept their changing bodies.
In the past year, Winter has chosen to undergo breast reduction surgery, a body modification she has made for health and lifestyle reasons. Once again, she has proven a role model for young girls in her decision to make her body the healthiest it can be aside from what critics say about her.
Watching Modern Family as a teenager coming to terms with my own body, I found it comforting to relate to a character that had matured so gracefully while facing similar insecurities. While society and the media pushes for stereotyped bodies, Ariel Winter defies that. She proves that beauty is any shape and size in which one feels the most confident, healthy, and powerful. This is a lesson women can all learn in a world that tries to shape our bodies as if they were its own.
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This evolution has been influential for a few important reasons. The first of these being that Hollywood is notoriously filled with a very limited set of body types. Alex Dunphy grew to challenge that. She epitomized what it was like to navigate preteen and teenage life for those of us who did not grow into size 0 bodies. While there is nothing wrong with stars who have naturally thin body types, it sends the wrong message for the rest of the nation's youth who feel the need to compare themselves to only that. The character of Alex provides some relief and comfort from that status quo. Additionally, Ariel Winter seemed to undergo this transformation with the poise that promotes self-acceptance of viewers' own body types. This was apparent despite some of the actress's admitted hardships.
In a 2015 interview with US Weekly, Ariel Winter revealed the criticisms she received as a result of her differing body type. US Weekly reported the media and the Internet "would mercilessly pick on her for her clothes, weight, and breast size." This fact epitomizes the sad truth of our society. We have come to accept only one version of conventional female beauty, and to wrongfully ridicule anyone who deviates from that vision. Although it has been difficult for Winter, she has unknowingly provided a model of mature beauty for teenagers everywhere learning to accept their changing bodies.
In the past year, Winter has chosen to undergo breast reduction surgery, a body modification she has made for health and lifestyle reasons. Once again, she has proven a role model for young girls in her decision to make her body the healthiest it can be aside from what critics say about her.
Watching Modern Family as a teenager coming to terms with my own body, I found it comforting to relate to a character that had matured so gracefully while facing similar insecurities. While society and the media pushes for stereotyped bodies, Ariel Winter defies that. She proves that beauty is any shape and size in which one feels the most confident, healthy, and powerful. This is a lesson women can all learn in a world that tries to shape our bodies as if they were its own.
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