Although body image can be a positive thing and can affect boys as well as girls, negative body image issues are more typically found in teenage girls and women. I doubt anyone can argue that media does not play a huge role in the way society views the need for young women to be very thin, with large breasts, and flawless faces. When recently on a trip with my teenage daughter we were searching for a magazine for her to read and the only magazines targeting the teenage girl market was Teen Magazine, Seventeen, or CosmoGirl all of which had nothing but ways to be thinner, prettier, or how to attract a guy. My daughter is one of the lucky few that is naturally tall, slender, and does not suffer from acne. But she began to talk about how terrible it makes her feel when she hears many of her girlfriends talk about how depressed they get, how many diets they try, how much they spend on acne meds, and many even want breast implants.
My daughter also indicated that she knows several girls at her small high school who suffer from eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia. And some who have started smoking cigarettes, buying diet pills, or even experimented with cocaine or methamphetamines just so they can be thin. Teenagers may start using drugs for any number of reasons but it is very common for young teenage girls to start experimenting with these types of drugs simply because they think they need to be supermodel skinny.
I learned a lot during our conversation. I initially thought of the situation as a great teaching opportunity to teach my daughter about body image, self esteem, media image, and eating disorders. But I now feel it was more of a learning opportunity for me. My daughter and I discussed some options of how we can help and support one another and others with some of these issues and feel good about helping others acheive a more positive body image and self esteem and get help for some of their other issues. Parents and teens - this is an important subject to talk about. I think both of you will be amazed at the knowledge, understanding, guidance, and support you will receive if you open up and talk about these issues.
