Children begin to notice their bodies at a very young age. They may point out the differences in the way they look in comparison to a friend or relative. In the beginning, it may be harmless observations. As a child enters the adolescent years, however, she may become more focused on her own body image. Parents can help pre-teens or teens develop and maintain a healthy body image.
A person’s body image is dependent on several factors. It is all about how she sees herself, and how she thinks others see her. Body image is also psychologically dependent on emotions. Not only will the reflection in the mirror echo in a person’s view of herself, but also her personal feelings about the way she looks can play an active role in how positive or negative her body image really is.
Pre-teens and teens are especially vulnerable to a poor body image because they haven’t gained the maturity and experience necessary to build up their self-esteem. If they are self-doubting as a whole, they will likely struggle with a positive body image. Much of their self-esteem comes from how others, particularly their peers, view them. This means their own self-worth can become very skewed.
Adolescents are typically concerned about what their peers think. Because some children can be very cruel at times, vulnerable teens need to be taught to love and appreciate themselves for who they are. Once they have developed a more confident self image, the way their body appears to others will not be as important. Schools can help by creating peer mediation programs and stopping potential problems before they begin. Schools can also educate teens on the importance of not judging others based on their appearance.
The media continually bombards people of all ages with society’s idea of the perfect body. While many adults struggle with issues such as weight loss, young people may suffer physically from a poor body image. Bulimia and anorexia are dangerous, physical, and psychological conditions that can permanently scar or even kill an adolescent. Parents and other influential adults must do their best to combat the images that media, such as television shows, movies, magazines, and advertisers, focus on.
Parents should begin talking to their children about issues such as weight gain before they reach puberty. Children need to understand that weight gain is natural. They should understand that there will be times in their lives where their bodies will put on more weight naturally, and there is nothing wrong with this.
As your child grows and matures, look for ways to compliment her that have nothing to do with her outward appearance. Focus on her talents, skills, and academic aptitude. Help her to find other people to admire for their talents and abilities, not for the way they look. Try to avoid negative words and sentences. If you feel that your teen looks too large in an outfit, don’t say anything. Instead, compliment her when she has something on that is more flattering.
When you and your child are watching television together, it is a good idea to tell her that the super skinny models she is watching may not be exactly the way they appear on the television. Explain to her that computer imaging can enhance and completely change a person’s appearance. Try to help her realize that a person’s values, beliefs, and convictions are much more important than outward appearance. Emphasize to her that there are many beautiful people in the world who are miserable.
You can help your teen develop a healthy body image. It is important to continue to keep the lines of communication open between your child and you. If you do feel that your child has serious body image views, however, you may want to get her some professional help.
