So I read this article, "The Internet lowers self esteem in teen girls" and my first thought was, Duh!
I know I have touched on this subject before, but it is something that really irks me. Take a look and leave your opinion in the comments.
The internet is this generation's magazine. I work in the print media industry and everything is going digital. The ads and pictures on the internet are no different than what girls see or read in books and magazines. If anything they are more easily accessible. Especially to girls too young to earn their own money to be able to purchase magazines.
If the same amount of energy that was used to promote fashion was put into reassuring girls that looks (weight/ facial features) weren't everything, there wouldn't be nearly as many girls with low self esteem. Or lacking any at all for that matter.
Everyone needs to understand that we are all beautiful in our own way. What needs to be said or done to get that simple truth through people's heads?
I am vowing to do my part to make sure the people I come across get acknowledged for something nice about them. Even if it is something as simple as a cool nail polish color. If it makes them smile, then mission accomplished! After all, a smile is the most beautiful thing a person can wear :)
Interesting article and I agree with what you have written. I have to say though that we have to know that internet, media and all the BS that goes with the "images" is always going to be around. The only ad campaign I can recall off hand that showed "real" women was dove. BRAVO for them! We also need to, as parents, reinforce all that you have said to our children (girls AND boys) because it does not take much to mess up self esteem in a child! Random acts of kindness regarding how someone "looks" is ALWAYS good! You never know how you may change a life by a smile or kind word! That may sound kind of "pollyanna" to some, but I think it's the truth! Think if EVERYONE did that?? :o)
ReplyDeleteI love what Dove did with their campaign. Hanes and Fruit of the Loom picked it up too. Maybe a couple of others. Hopefully this will continue. Some will see it as a lost cause due to the volume of fashion ads and everything else featuring what is considered "normal", but I would like to think that it will subliminally (like every good campaign) send girls the right message. Thanks for reading Maggie!
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