Maybe having a bad self image is not as bad as people might think. Sure, it feels bad, but it also motivates people. I think I saw a study about that, not long ago. But whether or not there is evidence for this, think about it theoretically. If you felt bad about yourself, wouldn’t you want to improve? If you were depressed, wouldn’t you want to do better so you could maybe not be quite so depressed? I know in my life depression and poor self image have moved me to act. When I feel good, there’s no need to do anything.
I think that we buy into advertising, even if it is “unhealthy” for our self-esteem, because we want to improve ourselves. The direction we move in to improve ourselves really doesn’t matter, so long as society approves.
If I’m right, then people actually secretly welcome the news that they aren’t good enough. It motivates them.
If I’m right, then this pattern of behavior will never change. Beauty will always be one step away. Complaints about how damaging the images of beauty are will never get anywhere. People don’t actually want to think they are good enough as they are. They want to know they aren’t good enough so they can work their asses off to get better. And in the process, make a lot more money.