Teenagers worry constantly about their body image. Magazines, newspapers and television don't exactly help boost their confidence. The portrayal of thin women and bodybuilding men forces teenagers to believe that they must achieve that “perfect” body and look. The biggest problem when these images are passed on to teenagers is the effects the images have on them. Teens who obsess over their body image may experience stress from trying to impress others, develop an eating disorder, and neglect, and even jeopardize, important aspects of their lives when they focus too much on their body image. Stress is a big part of teenagers' lives. From school to boyfriends to keeping up with the latest fashion trends, there's enough stress to deal with. In addition to that, teenagers often spend too much time focusing on their appearance. Anna Quindlen, a journalist and humor writer, says she exercises three times a week to keep her husband from looking at younger women (283). She's clearly exaggerating that her husband will leave her for someone else, but she's trying to make a point. Even though Anna is older and married, she most likely still felt the need to stay thin to keep boys interested when she was a teenager. Teens feel the need to stay slim or fit to impress others, rather than focusing on the good qualities they have. I already have. Others wear a lot of makeup to try to live up to the images portrayed in magazines. Whatever happened to the personality, is it the best quality? Teens are now so focused on their appearance that they start judging each other and forming groups before they even have a conversation. But it's hard to have a conversation with someone when their ribs are sticking out of their shirt... in the middle of the paper... stuffing it. Not to say that tattoos and piercings are a bad thing, but when teens choose to get one, they don't think about the consequences it could have. Images in the media won't disappear or change, but the way we look at them can. Highlighting the positive aspects of yourself is a great start to having a more positive self-image and will help you stop comparing yourself to others. Even talking to someone about what's going on is a big step in the right direction. We will never be perfect, but that is what enhances the differences in each of us. Works Cited Maynard, Cindy. "Body image". Readings for writers. Ed. Jo Ray McCuen-Metherell and Anthony C. Walker. Boston: Wadsworth, 2010. Print.Quindlen, Anna. “Stretch marks”. Readings for writers. Ed. Jo Ray McCuen-Metherell and Anthony C. Walker. Boston: Wadsworth, 2010. Print.