breaking news modelling a healthier body image · from employing anyone with a Body Mass Index (BMI) that French health authorities determine is too low. Doctors say a normal BMI

Page 1 What in the world? • Level 2 Breaking news

augment: make something greater by adding to it

Body Mass Index (BMI): a measure of weight in relation to

height

catwalk: a narrow, raised walkway used in fashion shows

conspicuous: easily seen; obvious

Tall and sassy models strut along elegant runways in Paris – the city many people consider to be the fashion capital of the world. Th eir job? To show off the latest styles produced by the globe’s hottest designers.

Is it any wonder many girls look up to these chic young women? Perhaps some even dream about one day taking their own place on the world’s catwalks. Or maybe they picture themselves gracing the covers of top fashion magazines.

Glamorous? not so muchYet the job isn’t all fun and glamour. Modelling is demanding work. It is sometimes performed in less-than-ideal conditions by young teenage girls unaccustomed to the fast lifestyle. As well, only the most popular get top dollar, while the rest may struggle fi nancially.

Worse, for years the fashion industry has typically favoured models who are dangerously thin.

France takes a standTh e French government believes the practice of hiring models who are conspicuously underweight must stop. On April 3, lawmakers in the lower house of parliament introduced legislation banning modelling agencies from employing anyone with a Body Mass Index (BMI) that French health authorities determine is too low. Doctors say a normal BMI for adults is between 18.5 and 24.9.

Magazines will also have to indicate when a photograph of a model has been digitally altered to make her look skinnier, or face fi nes of nearly $70,000 Canadian.

If the French Senate approves the law – a strong likelihood – employers who break the rules risk a maximum six-month prison term and fi nes of over $100,000 in Canadian funds.

“Th e law is to protect models who are getting so thin that they’re in danger,” said medical doctor Olivier Véran, the MP who introduced the legislation.

“It’s also to protect adolescents. Th is image of so-called ideal beauty augments the risk of eating disorders. Teenagers are under social pressure from the image these models convey to always be thinner and thinner.”

The industry reactsMany people in the French fashion industry opposed the law.

Isabelle Saint-Felix is the head of SYNAM, France’s national union of modelling agencies. She argued that some women in the fi eld, such as Ines de la Fressange, are skinny by nature.

“When you take the criteria of anorexia, it’s not just about taking the BMI into consideration. It also involves other criteria – psychological, reports of hair loss, dental problems, etc. It is very serious to confuse anorexia with the thinness of models.”

She adds that the legislation would also mean less work for France’s runway stars.

Definitions

breaking news

modelling a healthier body image– France says no to ultra-skinny models


breaking news

modelling a healthier body image– France says no to ultra-skinny models

Arnaud Robinet with the opposition UMP party agreed that agencies will now “employ foreign models over French models.” He also echoes those concerned that the new law may violate France’s strict employment discrimination rules.

A growing trendHowever, the move in France does appear to be part of global trend. Spain and Italy already have similar laws against employing underweight models. Brazil is considering banning underage, underweight women from its catwalks. And in 2013, Israel imposed a ban on too-thin models similar to the one in France.

No comparable laws or regulations exist in North America. Still, in 2012 the world’s best-known fashion magazine, Vogue, which has 19 international editions, announced it would no longer work with models who appear to have an eating disorder or who are under the age of 16.

Even before that, in 2007 at a week-long fashion event in Montreal, organizers banned severely underweight models from walking the runway. Th ey also urged those who looked as though they had an eating disorder to seek help. Other Canadian fashion organizations, such as the Ben Barry Fashion Agency, actively seek diversity in their models.

“I decided to represent models of all sizes, all ages – the people who I thought had the personality and the charisma to be successful, the people who looked like my friends and my family,” said Mr. Barry. “Of course, people in the industry in Toronto thought I was crazy. Th ey thought this isn’t the way fashion worked. But I decided to take that path.”

Targeting pro-anorexia websitesFrance’s lower house of parliament also passed a separate measure that takes aim at pro-anorexia websites that encourage dangerous weight loss.

People who run such “thinspirational” sites could spend up to a year in prison and face a fi ne of over $130,000 in Canadian funds.

Th e legislation seeks to punish those who provoke “people to excessive thinness by encouraging prolonged dietary restrictions that could expose them to a danger of death or directly impair their health.” Th ese websites and blogs supposedly off er beauty tips to girls as young as 12. Among their recommendations? Starving to create stick legs or a “thigh gap.”

A model weighs inLaws such as those proposed in France are drawing applause from people with fi rst-hand knowledge of the fashion industry.

“Th is issue of a model’s weight is – and always has – been of concern to me,” Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha said in 2010.

“Th ere are certain moral decisions which seem like no-brainers to us. For example, not employing children in sweatshops, and not increasing the addictiveness of cigarettes. When designers, stylists or agents push children to take measures that lead to anorexia or other health problems in order to remain in the business, they are asking the public to ignore their moral conscience.” J

eating disordersTh e two most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. According to

the Mayo Clinic, anorexia is characterized by “an abnormally low body weight,

intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of body weight. People with

anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme

eff orts that tend to signifi cantly interfere with activities in their lives.”

Anorexics oft en refuse to eat to the point of hormone imbalance or starvation.

Bulimics will eat, but they oft en induce vomiting aft erwards for fear of gaining

weight.

Eating disorders can aff ect anyone, but some people may be at higher risk. People

who experience lower self-esteem, poor body image, perfectionism, or have a hard

time dealing with stress may be more likely to experience an eating disorder.

Treatment usually involves learning to develop new habits in relation to food with

the help of mental health professionals. Recovery is diffi cult and can take years. Th e

Canadian Mental Health Association points out that eating disorders are a sign of

much bigger problems; their research suggests that as many as ten percent of people

who experience anorexia will die as a result of health issues or suicide.

In 2007 Isabelle Caro, an anorexic 28-year-old former French fashion model, tried to

raise awareness about the illness by posing for a photographic campaign. Her death

three years later sent shockwaves through the industry.

According to health experts, there are as many as 40,000 known cases of anorexia in

France. Nine out of ten are females – and most are teenagers.


ON THE LINES

Answer the following in complete sentences:

1. Describe the benefi ts and challenges of being a fashion model.

2. Explain what Body Mass Index is.

3. Identify and describe the two most common eating disorders. Who is most likely to develop these disorders?

4. List at least two fashion industry practices that increase the risk of eating disorders.

5. Identify the new rules France introduced to regulate the fashion industry.

6. List two concerns voiced by opponents of the new law.

7. Which three other countries have passed similar laws?

8. Describe at least two important developments to the fashion industry in North America.

breaking news

modelling a healthier body image


BETWEEN THE LINES

An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence. A plausible inference is supported by evidence in the article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article.

What inference(s) can you draw from the fact that so few nations have laws about ultra-skinny models?

JUST TALK ABOUT IT

1. For what reasons do you agree with France’s new law banning ultra-thin models? For what reasons do you disagree? Explain.

2. Eric Van Furth, an expert on eating disorders in the Netherlands, reacted to the new French law positively but pointed out that “it’s a slow-moving world,” and added, “skinny is defi nitely not out.” Beyond the world of modelling, what other industries could help to redefi ne beauty and lower the rates of eating disorders and self-esteem issues? What could other people do? What could you do?

3. While the argument against pro-anorexia websites is clear, can you think of any arguments against criminalizing the advice and opinions of website owners?

ONLINE

Visit our student website at www.news4youth.com and click on the What in the World? tab to:

1. Learn more about eating disorders from the Canadian Mental Health Association (or visit https://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/understanding-mental-illness/eating-disorders/).

2. Watch an award-winning Dove commercial on YouTube title ‘Dove Evolution’ that shows how society’s perception of beauty is being distorted (or visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U). J

breaking news



Editorial Cartoon

Background InformationWHAT ARE EDITORIAL CARTOONS?

Editorial cartoons are found in the editorial – or opinion – section of a newspaper. Th ey are created by cartoonists as a way of visually commenting on and oft en criticizing the world around them – with humour. Editorial cartoonists express their ideas and opinions about issues (for example, what to do about Canada’s economy), events (such as the Olympic Games) or public fi gures (like the Prime Minister).

Because cartoons are drawn from the viewpoint of the cartoonist they do not tell the whole story about the event, issue or individual, but they reveal important messages. Th eir purpose is to grab people’s attention and cause them to re-examine their views on a subject. Editorial cartoons typically send a particular kind of message. Th e message is conveyed through images and wordplay. Th eir tone is generally ironic (portraying events in ways that are unexpected or contrary to how they seem), satiric (ridiculing the event, individual or issue), or humorous (inviting readers to laugh at themselves or at others).

In order to interpret the message of an editorial cartoon it is helpful to understand the context – the time, place and situation. It is also useful to understand some of the common art techniques used by cartoonists to emphasize their points. Considering these things will help you better decode and appreciate the message behind the cartoon.

WHAT COMMON ART TECHNIQUES ARE USED BY EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS?

Caption (a sentence or phrase that is the title or explanation of the cartoon);

Labels (words or numbers in the drawing to identify people, objects or dates);

Relative size (some images are drawn much larger or much smaller than others);

Light and dark (use of dark shading and white space to create an eff ect);

Composition (the arrangement or location of fi gures or objects in the centre or background);

Symbols (a sign or image to represent something else);

Caricature (a distorted, simplifi ed or exaggerated representation of a fi gure).

(To learn more about interpreting political cartoons, read the Toolkit: Decoding Political Cartoons by Charles Hou on the Library and Archives Canada’s web site at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/education/008-3050-e.html)

Prepared with assistance from TC2, Th e Critical Th inking Consortium. © 2015


YOUR TASK:

Examine the editorial cartoon. Th en, use the questions below to help you decode the cartoon’s message. Be specifi c and include as many details as possible in your answers.

Initial reading: What can an initial look reveal?

1. Glance quickly at the cartoon. What is the topic? What is your fi rst impression – your “gut response”?

2. Consider your background knowledge. What do you already know about the context of the cartoon – the time, place or situation? (List key facts.)

Closer look: How do the cartooning techniques help to present the message?

3. Find labels. How do the words (or numbers) in the drawing express ideas or identify people or objects? What message do the labels send?

4. Examine the relative size of fi gures or objects in the cartoon. What can you infer about the fi gures or objects from their size? How does the relative size add to the message of the cartoon?

5. Notice the caricature. How do the exaggerated, oversimplifi ed or distorted features of the fi gures or objects add to the eff ect of the cartoon? What message does this send the reader?

6. Study the cartoonist’s use of light and dark. How do shading and white space create an eff ect? How does this add to the message?

7. Look at the composition. Where are fi gures or objects located or arranged in the cartoon? What message does this send about their importance?

Draw conclusions: What overall impression can you draw?

8. Identify possible biases. Whose perspective or point of view is expressed in the cartoon?

9. Explain the overall message of the cartoon in a paragraph. (Remember, a good interpretation is specifi c and detailed.) J

Prepared with assistance from TC2, Th e Critical Th inking Consortium. © 2015

breaking news



puzzle


ACROSS

2. fashion capital of the world

4. best-known fashion magazine

5. made up of people or things that are diff erent from each other

9. a periodical publication that contains articles and illustrations

10. for years the fashion industry has favoured models who are dangerously _____

12. Body Mass _____

13. country that already has rules against underweight models

14. a narrow, raised walkway used in fashion shows

DOWN

1. country that passed new rules to regulate the fashion industry

3. eating disorder


7. the production and marketing of new styles of goods, especially clothing and cosmetics

8. eating disorder

9. a person employed to display new clothing, cosmetics, etc.


1

2

3

4

5 6

7 8

9

10 11

12

13

14


map

modelling a healthier body imageComplete this map assignment to better understand the article Modelling A Healthier Body Image.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Obtain the required resources and read all the instructions before starting.

2. Colour your map aft er all labelling is completed.

3. Print in pencil only fi rst, then go over the printing in black ink.

4. Work carefully and neatly.

Resources Required: pencil, black pen, pencil crayons, ruler, eraser and an atlas.

Part A Locate and label the following countries in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated:

United Kingdom (purple) France (yellow) Netherlands (green) Belgium (pink)Switzerland (red)

Part B Locate and label the capital city of each country and underline each city name.

Part C Locate and label the following countries in CAPITAL letters and shade each as indicated:

Germany (brown) Luxembourg (orange)Italy (green) Spain (pink)Andorra (red)

Part D Locate and label the following cities:

Marseille LyonToulouse NiceNantes StrasbourgMontpellier Bordeaux

Part E Locate and label the following and shade all ocean water dark blue:

Atlantic Ocean Bay of BiscayEnglish Channel Strait of DoverNorth Sea Gulf of Lion Mediterranean Sea

Part F Draw and label the following rivers and shade them light blue:

Seine River Rhone River Garonne River Loire River

Part G Complete your map with a frame, title and compass bearing. J

France

0 200 Kilometres15010050


QuizMODELLING A HEALTHIER BODY IMAGE

Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer on the line beside each question:

______ 1. Which of the following countries does NOT prohibit underweight models in the fashion industry?

a. Italy b. United States

c. France d. Israel

e. Spain

______ 2. Which magazine no longer uses models who are very young or who appear to have an eating disorder?

a. Vogue b. Time

c. Cosmopolitan d. Sports Illustrated

e. Maclean’s

______ 3. BMI = Body _____ Index

a. Measurement b. Metric

c. Margin d. Movement

e. Mass

______ 4. True or False? New York is the fashion capital of the world.

______ 5. True or False? Anorexia and Panic Disorder are the two most common eating disorders.

6. All governments should be concerned about young, underweight models. Do you agree or disagree with this

statement? Give reasons to support your response.

A monthly current events resource for Canadian classrooms

Routing Slip: (please circulate)September 2011

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Europe, the U.S., and Th e Economypage 14Struggle for Survival in Somalia

page 9Cell Phonesin the Spotlightpage 20

Rick Hansen and Many in Motionpage 3


Routing Slip: (please circulate)

September 2011


Europe, the U.S., and Th e Economypage 14

Struggle for Survival in Somaliapage 9

Cell Phonesin the Spotlightpage 20

Rick Hansen and Many in Motionpage 3

grade 3

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Routing Slip: (please circulate)

September 2011


Europe, the U.S., and

Th e Economypage 14

Struggle for Survival in

Somaliapage 9

Cell Phonesin the Spotlight

page 20

Rick Hansen and

Many in Motion

page 3

Students want to know what’s happening in their world – but the news can be diffi cult and time-consuming to teach.

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Print/pdf resource National and international news stories

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Product details: 32 pages, black and white. Available in English and in French, and in two reading levels, for grades 5 and up.

Currents4Kids.com Infos-Jeunes.com

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Links to relevant articles, resources, maps, photos and videos

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One subscription allows all teachers and students access to this site from any Internet-connected device at any time. Available in English and in French, for grades 3 and up.

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breaking news modelling a healthier body image · from employing anyone with a Body Mass Index (BMI) that French health authorities determine is too low. Doctors say a normal BMI