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Abstract
The impact of media has played a powerful role in shaping societal expectations andperceptions for young women’s bodies. Young Black women in particular have been subjected to messages in media that continuously fail to represent the diversity of Black women and their bodies. This lack of representation not only erases the experiences of many individuals but also reinforces harmful stereotypes and biases. Prior research on Black women and body image is typically investigated through the lens of psychosocial outcomes, sociocultural standards, and mainly racial group comparison. Therefore, this research makes unique contributions by exploring the relationships between Black women, body image, and purchase intentions. This thesis examines how societal representations of the ideal body, impact Black women's self- perception and how these perceptions, in turn, influence their decisions about purchasing products.