Love Your Body
There’s been a lot of controversy during the last week about a photo of a “normal woman” in the September issue of Glamour Magazine. Body image is certainly an area that trips a lot of women up, and I am one of them. The blog post about the reaction to the photo talks about how important it is for us to see women who look like us to be able to develop healthy self concepts. Being happy in our own skins is something that most women have to continually work on our whole lives.
The Supergirl Dilemma outlines two areas where girls’ attitudes went backward instead of forward between 2000 and 2006–
- 84% of girls say they are under a lot of pressure to dress the right way
- 60% of girls say the most popular girls in school are very thin
Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty has a link to a “Self-Esteem Report.” The Campaign also has toolkits, workshops and a downloadable trueyou workbook. Try not to get frustrated with the site; I think I had to click everything twice before my browser went anywhere. Here are some other resources that can help you work with your group on this issue–
- Memoir to My Former Self–This video, written by 17-year-old Katrina Garcia, explores body image, eating disorders, women’s rights and cliques. It presents several viewpoints and delivers a message of developing a strong sense of self. Some processing questions might be–
- What are the issues facing the girl in the video?
- Have you had any similar experiences?
- How did the video make you feel?
- How do you feel about being female?
- What would you do if you were the girl in the movie?
- What would you do if you were her friend?
- A Girl Like Me–This movie was directed by Kiri Davis, when she was a teen living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York. The film is about an experiment Kiri conducted based on one from the 1950’s. Her film was featured on Media That Matters and is an inspiration to any young woman or filmmaker, present or future.
- About three years ago, each of the Chrysalis After-School groups received From Adversaries to Allies: A Curriculum for Change. It has two units that can guide your discussion on body image and self concept with girls. One is called “Media Madness” and the other is “Researching Girl Culture”. The first is very closely related and the second is fairly general and includes behavior as well as looks. If you didn’t receive this resource, I have a copy that I can loan out; just send me an email.
- Another resource that Lori Rinehart got for all the groups is pretty much all about body image and decreasing vulnerability to developing an eating disorder. It’s called Full of Ourselves–A Wellness Program to Advance Girl Power, Health, and Leadership. The link has an audio of one of the authors, Catherine Steiner-Adair reading an excerpt from the Program Guide. Again, if you don’t have this resource, I will be glad to loan you mine; just send me an email.
- Terry Hernandez gave me a book a couple years ago called, 50 ways to improve women’s lives, the essential women’s guide to achieving equality, health, and success. One of the chapters begins, “How many women do you know who like the way they look?” The cool thing is that at the end of each chapter, the book has a “Call to Action.” Here are some suggestions at the end of the chapter titled, “Treat Your Body Well–”
- Contact TV stations to complain about programs that glamorize plastic surgery. Call the companies that advertise during those programs and let them know what you think.
- Regularly give genuine compliments to friends and loved ones about their appearance.
- Never put yourself down; focus on what you like about yourself and your body.
- This activity plan from Advocates for Youth would be a great place to add a gallery walk. The instructions are specific enough for a group of girls to lead. Though the instructions are for working with a group of boys and girls, you can adapt it for girls only.
Martha October 25th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Thanks to Nicole Michels, I found this great Web Site–About-Face.org and one of their Take Action Projects. Check it out and watch for a new post about it on NextStepAdventure.com!
Taylor Nelson November 2nd, 2009 at 3:57 pm
That seems like something I would like to go to!
P.S.- I love your blog/website! Thanks for teaching me mind mapping!