If you have a daughter who’s a teenager or young woman, you know how hard it is for her to have a healthy body image in today’s society. It’s nice to know efforts are being made to change that.
I learned about 14-year-old Julia Bluhm at Create With Joy’s Inspire Me Monday. Julia prepared a petition through Change.org: “Seventeen Magazine: Give Girls Images Of Real Girls!” The petition requested that Seventeen magazine print one unaltered photo spread per month.
The petition had over 84,000 signatures, and convinced Seventeen Magazine to “not alter the body size or face shape of the girls and models in the magazine and to feature a diverse range of beauty in its pages.” Here’s a New York Times article telling more about the changes being made by Seventeen Magazine: “Seventeen Magazine Vows to Show Girls ‘as They Really Are.'”
Now there’s a new petition through Change.org asking Teen Vogue to “follow Seventeen’s example and pledge not to alter any model’s body or face and to celebrate beauty in all its forms.” I signed the petition. I hope you do, too!
The Importance of Helping Girls with Their Body Images
Here are some frightening facts about body image from Do Something: “11 Facts about Body Image.”
As a competitive figure skater for fourteen years, my daughter, Christina, experienced first-hand the body image ideals propagated for figure skaters. As a pairs skater, my son, Will, also saw what the pairs girls and other figure skaters went through. My whole family was shocked and saddened to see how many young girls had distorted body images and how many developed eating disorders as a result. We were lucky that Christina had a healthy enough self-image that she didn’t develop an eating disorder.
From the time Christina was little, we tried to encourage the attitude that our daughter was beautiful for who she was as a person. We were thankful that most of Christina’s coaches through the years were careful not to encourage eating disorders. But that isn’t the case with all coaches, and it’s probably inevitable for girls to be exposed to some negative attitudes about body image in activities like dance, figure skating, modeling, and acting.
Even Christina had a skating judge (at the World competitive level) tell her to do something about her vitiligo (areas of her skin without pigment). If you’re familiar with vitiligo, you know it’s difficult or impossible to change. Fortunately, Christina has an amazingly positive attitude about her vitiligo (as does her husband).
At her blogs Christina Chitwood Performance and Fit Body Full Life (which Christina co-authors with her husband), she uses her training and experiences to help others live healthy lives and have healthy attitudes toward performance and life in general. For females who are drawn to performance, it takes a very careful balance if they want to do what they love and stay healthy at the same time.
Girls who loved ballet were the inspiration for the original petition. In her petition to Seventeen Magazine, Julia Bluhm said:
Girls want to be accepted, appreciated, and liked. And when they don’t fit the criteria, some girls try to “fix” themselves. This can lead to eating disorders, dieting, depression, and low self esteem.
I’m in a ballet class with a bunch of high-school girls. On a daily basis I hear comments like: “It’s a fat day,” and “I ate well today, but I still feel fat.” Ballet dancers do get a lot of flack about their bodies, but it’s not just ballet dancers who feel the pressure to be “pretty”. It’s everyone. To girls today, the word “pretty” means skinny and blemish-free. Why is that, when so few girls actually fit into such a narrow category? It’s because the media tells us that “pretty” girls are impossibly thin with perfect skin.
Here’s what lots of girls don’t know. Those “pretty women” that we see in magazines are fake. They’re often photoshopped, air-brushed, edited to look thinner, and to appear like they have perfect skin. A girl you see in a magazine probably looks a lot different in real life.
Use Photoshop with Care
Photoshop can be wonderful for removing unnecessary distractions from photos. Seventeen Magazine still plans to use it for “messy details” like flyaway hairs and wrinkled clothes. But beyond that, Photoshop can become very dangerous.
To see just how unreal the images of models in magazines are, check out this 2006 Canada commercial for Dove:
Here’s a parody of Photoshop that’s gone viral on YouTube this year. The video says a lot. “Fotoshop by Adobé”:
If you’d like to know more about the Fotoshop video, here’s an interview with the filmmaker: “Meet the Mind Behind the Going-Viral ‘Fotoshop’ Video” by Annie Tomlin at Bella Sugar.
True Beauty Lies Beneath the Surface
What I hope we can all encourage in young women (and people of all ages):
“Beauty is a Light in the Heart” Word Art Freebie (without watermark)
Courage and Honor Are Truly Beautiful
“I’ve Never Seen a Smiling Face That Was Not Beautiful” Word-Art Freebie
Let’s work together to help our daughters – and the daughters of the world – have healthy body images!
UPDATE: See Help Our Daughters Have Healthy Body Images: The Saga Continues
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Help Our Daughters Have Healthy Body Images: The Saga Continues
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Hi! Stopping by from the Aloha Friday blog hop and am now your newest follower:) Hope you can come check out Crazy Mama Drama !
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Thanks so much, Brooke! I’ll be visiting your blog, too. Have a great weekend! 🙂
I’ve known for a long time that a lot of the images we see in magazines have had some work done on them, but not until I saw that video did I realize how much (or how easy) that was done. I knew blemishes were often corrected. I never realized they made them look thinner too.
Young minds are so impressionable. It’s hard when we, as parents, do everything we can to instill a strong self-confidence in our children, only to have that chipped away and eroded by the media and other influences in our children’s lives. Bravo, I say, to those trying to bring truth back, especially to the magazines aimed at teens.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Grady! I’ve seen a number of different videos and articles showing the extreme changes that can be made with Photoshop … it’s definitely shocking. Girls just don’t realize those images aren’t how the models and celebrities naturally look. Like you, I’m so glad some girls are doing something about it! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this Deb. As someone who battled an eating disorder for over 10 years, this is SO important to teach young women. My daughter is only 3, but we’ve already started the road to building her self-esteem and loving herself for who she is. In addition to that, teaching her that beauty comes from what’s inside a person, not how they look.
I once read a book called The Four Agreements about how our perception of what is beautiful and what is ugly comes from society. We learn that something is ugly or beautiful because someone else thought or said it was, not because we’re perceived it to be. In fact, I think most children think everything & everyone around them is a beautiful creation until someone tells them otherwise.
It makes me so sad that so many different sports and activities target young women’s bodies.
Ok, this comment is long enough! But thank you for this post, it is SO important. Signing the petition now.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and the wisdom you gained from battling an eating disorder. It’s wonderful that you’re working to help your daughter love herself for who she is from a young age. And thanks for signing the petition. I hope we can all make a difference in such an important cause! 🙂
WOW! Thanks so much for sharing this post Deb! I am amazed at how much photoshop can do. Our society definitely has a distorted image of what “real women” look like.
Thanks, Crystal! It is amazing what Photoshop can do, isn’t it?! It’s sad that it’s become a bad thing is so many instances.
I am so happy to have found your blog! This is such an important message for all girls especially those who are so young and impressionable! My own daughter suffers from negative self esteem because of physical and mental diabilities and it is so very sad. Every girl is beautiful! My friends daughter is suffering from anorexia this year as well – so very heartbreaking that the images they see daily tell them they are not good enough! Thanks for this post… very enlightening. I will be signing the petition right away!
xoxo
Kim
Your newest follower
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Kim! It is very sad to see the effects of our society’s messages. It’s wonderful you’re so aware and can be a positive voice for your daughter and her friend. Thanks for signing the petition! 🙂 xoxo
Great post. The media can sure distort our body image in an unhealthy way!
Thanks for your comment, Nicole! It’s scary, isn’t it?!
great article it is so important to help our children love and accept themselves for who they are and not try to be someone else, their self esteem effects every thing in their lives.
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Sunny! I just found it. It’s so true that children’s self-esteem affects everything in their lives.
Thanks for sharing this article Deb. It’s great to hear about Christina maintain a positive attitude despite contracting vitiligo.
Thanks, Ian! Christina has always amazed me with how positive she’s been able to remain despite her vitiligo. I hope she’s able to help others with her own attitude about it.
Great post! As a dad of a 2 year old (I know, she is young yet), this is something that is definitely on my mind. I see it all over TV, social media, etc. etc. We want to enter her into dance since she absolutely LOVES dancing next year. The main point I will need to focus on is some of the points you made in this post – I can see where a potential for figure can pop up, just hoping it doesn’t impact my little toddler this early!
Thanks again!
I agree we have to help out daughters with their body image. I think a great spokesperson would be Jennifer Lawrence. I see her on television trying to prove that she does not need to be super skinny to make it in Hollywood. I see that whenever she gets a chance she tries to speak out about it. I know it is an uphill battle but we have to start somewhere. Body image is also causing our girls to have eating disorders. We should definitely do something about it.
Jennifer Lawrence is really a Great example I admire her too, Its our responsibility to ensure good body language for our daughters.
Such a great article. I am a dad of 3 little girls. Thanks for the great article
I have read Christina Chitwood’s blog. She shares the same advocacy as you. I support this cause and will do what I can to help girls who are victims of today’s irresponsible and deliberately deceptive media. Every parent are responsible for their child’s well-being too. The formative years of a child is the most vital period for parents to instill the right virtues and values into their minds. Most of all, it is important to nourish your kids with love and care for their health and happiness sake.
Hi,
I am also mother of a 2 year daughter and I want my daughter to be looked stylish. I know its too early to say anything about it but I want to trained my daughter from day one.
Your suggestion has motivated me to help her in looking stylish.
Hey, useful article, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Body image is indeed a very touchy thing, I recently posted to my blog a song that has been out here (in england) a lot all to do with how you feel with your own body. As a man is someone is curvy that’s just fine..if someone is slighly built… that’s ok too. To me it does not matter what shape someone is they need to be happy with themselves with the media presenting photo shop images of celebs who have been ‘changed’ to portray that they are slimmer must do more harm than good. I have a 19 year old step daughter and she goes through the ‘I’m not eating days’ so as to think she will be slimmer.. when in fact she is only a size 10 anyway. Society needs to make a choice to show the images of women as they are without changing them. It gives off bad images to girls.
Thank you for your post.
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Heart warming post! I wish more and more people think that way. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome article. Very nice.
wonderful article so i come again this site
Very Informative, Will have a great impact on our children.
Wow, thank’s so much for sharing this Deb. I love this article. This is very inspiring. Seriously ! 🙂
I never thought that photoshop can be very dangerous. Especially for teenagers. Thanks for sharing this deb 🙂
Girls lose their confidence when they dont get good body shape and images..they like to take selfie but everyone is not that lucky..i have few friends they r suffering from same problem..i will suggest them this post..this will surely help them..thanx
I love the quotes you posted and the fotoshop video is a good watch.
Girls these days are constantly obsessing over their body shape which can lead to some pretty deadly outcomes. More awareness needs to be put out there!
Sonya
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this article my solve problem of my friend. thanks for sharing.
Thanks
Its very important to keep our body healthy and make healthy body image.You share very good information.Thanx for this valuable information sharing.
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Great article and nice blog, i really liked the way you expres here.
Thank you lot
I hope this starts a new movement. A new age of healthy living and it would be thanks BitsofPositivity as one one leaders. Great information, a must share with social media.
Thanks for sharing a very important news.
Body image is a real problem for children everywhere. Pictures and videos of the perfect body are everywhere. Self confidence is very easy to discuss but hard for the young to appreciate as it comes from within and they are typically buzzing with hormones!
I know this may sound ridiculous I live in the UK and I tend not to use too much spf. I like to sit in the sun for about 15 – 30 minutes with no cream on, this enables my body to soak up the essential vitamin D. I also use Jeunesse Rejuvenation Serum derived from stem cell technology. It helps to heal wounds, topical irritations, repairs sun damage, and regenerate skin cells.
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Photoshop is indeed very dangerous and powerfull. They are creating body images that is almost not possible to achieve. I even saw a video turning a pizza slice into a model, or otherway around i dont remember it that well. Even heard of a woman wearing a corset for 20+ years just to ensure a small waist. damaging her body beyond fysics. its getting crazy tbh. Thanks for the insight!
HI deb, I was reading christina’s blog about eyebrow threading and came accross your blog post. Yours is a really inspiring blog post that echoed a quote that I kept in mind :
Real girls aren’t perfect. perfect girls aren’t real. Photoshop is real…..
Photoshop is indeed very dangerous and powerful. They are creating body images that is almost not possible to achieve. I saw a video turning a pizza slice into a model, or other way around I do not remember it that well. Even heard of a woman wearing a corset for 20+ years just to ensure a small waist. damaging her body beyond physics. its getting crazy. Thanks for the insight!
I have som great tips for skin care you should check them.
Hi Deb Chitwood!!
I found your article very informative. It is very important to help our children love and accept themselves for who they are and not try to be someone else, their self esteem effects every thing in their lives. I think body image is a real problem for children. Self confidence is very easy to discuss but hard for the young to appreciate as it comes from within . Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Regards
Annette H. Rizer
Hi, great post with valued information. Thanks for sharing
This is an outstanding advocacy. These beautiful girls have to understand their worth at a very young age. Their fragility needs nurturing only the real concerned people can provide. Always remember your worth, you are beautiful inside out!
Well done……
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thanks for sharing great information for youth which are now a days totally depend on media artificial discoveries..girls have to take care their natural body with natural things..they should not use unhealthy products or tips..a girl has to think about her natural beauty.
Hi Deb,
As always, I really appreciated your insightful and thoughtful post. I love that you have shared your daughter’s thoughts on this super important issue. Every parent’s wants that their daughter’s always remain fit and healthy. Especially fathers always take care of their diet and remember them to take healthy food.
I do not have a daughter, but I do have a son and a niece and completely agree with focusing on the positives, keeping food just that – food, and celebrating our individualities. I also agree that we need to raise boys the same way – celebrating ourselves and setting a good example is so important.
Thanks for sharing
Jerry
Yeah, we were only there for one night, but Mykonos was a very pleasant surprise! And Delos is great too if you’re at all into ancient history. Crete can be hard to leave thoughmm
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Hi Deb,
Media has projected women to be beautiful only if they are lean and slim. This makes girls with excess weight feel inferior. But, beauty lies deep within the heart and not in the body. It’s really appreciable that people like you are making an effort to change this scenario.
Body image is a real problem for children everywhere. Pictures and videos of the perfect body are everywhere.
Inter mountain supplements manufacture Capsules, Liquids, Powders, Sports Nutrition and Skin care products manufacturing. Thanks a lot for the great post. I am waiting for your next post….
This is really bad. Media Companies and those magazines are making images of girls very Bad.
Thanks for enlightening this issues.
All the best with your Works
Thanks for sharing this nice information