Today, women are bombarded by thousands of media images on a daily basis. These images suggest that women are beautiful only if they are thin, pretty, and culturally accepted. Research shows that the effects of this are surfacing in the increasing prevalence of plastic surgery, eating disorders, and low self-esteem in our country today. Young girls already feel the influence as well, citing a desire to diet as early as second grade. Eating disorders are the most fatal of all mental illnesses, yet magazines, commercials, television shows, and other media continue to promote them by portraying thin as beautiful. Women are often depicted as objects to look at, not humans to be respected. The deleterious effects of unrealistic images on future generations of girls will only worsen as time goes on. The perpetuation of such dangerous standards through generations will only strengthen them. Young women should not have be consumed by anxiety over weight and looks, but instead deserve a worry-free childhood and the confidence to pursue goals in more valuable aspects of life. We request equal treatment of women in the media. That is, we instead call for the representation of a variety of women that have different body shapes and ethnic backgrounds, in addition to, representation of these women as equally good, strong, and deserving of respect. By supporting the above cause and signing below, you will assist in bringing a sound case to the United States Government.