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Differences in body image perceptions among adolescent males and females

Body image is an important part of identity development, particularly 
in adolescence when accommodation to pubertal change is a key 
developmental task. This study examines the differences between 
adolescent male and female perceptions of body image. It tested the 
hypothesis that female adolescents would have poorer body image 
perception than that of their male counterparts. An availability sample 
of 20 adolescents (10 male, 10 female) between the ages of 14 and 
15 years, was used in which a body image questionnaire was 
administered. Differences in the mean scores of the two groups were 
analysed using a t-test. It was found that female adolescents do in 
fact have a poorer body image than males of this age. The findings, 
which are comparable with other findings on this subject, imply that 
there is a difference between male and female adolescents with 
regard to body image at this age. In general, female adolescents 
have a poorer body self-image than males. This is due in large part to 
current cultural standards for physical appearance combined with 
social, cultural and psychological pressures. Many females may feel 
less attractive and devalued if they think that their bodies fall short of 
the socio-cultural ideals. The findings of this study help to lay the 
groundwork for research exploring intrapsychic and interpersonal 
consequences which include socio-cultural factors attached to body 
image dissatisfaction for adolescents.