This paper explores how contemporary media representation and social comparison on platforms like TikTok and Instagram influence the body image and identity development of Asian American teenage girls. It argues that while diverse representation is increasing, internalized beauty standards and "model minority" pressures continue to affect psychological well-being.
: The influence of East Asian "glass skin" and high-maintenance aesthetic standards popularized through social media. carly asian teen
: How "Carly," a hypothetical Asian teen, must navigate being "not Asian enough" for traditional standards while feeling "too Asian" for Western ones. III. Social Media and Social Comparison : How "Carly," a hypothetical Asian teen, must
: Academic and social pressure to be "perfect" in all spheres, including physical appearance. IV. Case Study: The "Life of Carly" Aesthetic but new pressures have emerged.
: For decades, Asian representation in Western media was limited to caricatures. Today, the rise of K-pop and Asian-centric films has changed this landscape, but new pressures have emerged. II. The Dual Burden of Beauty Standards
Abstract