Wednesday, October 10, 2007
THE PRESSURE ON GIRLS TO LOOK PERFECT
This jaw-dropping video called "Onslaught" will hit you right in the gut and then make you want to cry. Especially if you have little girls. This is the newest short film in the Dove “real beauty” campaign.
This growing phenomenon is having a direct impact on girls’ self-image and even causing some to engage in destructive behavior. The Dove Self-Esteem Fund/Seventeen Body Image Survey also revealed:
- 93 percent of girls and young women report feeling anxiety or stress about some aspect of their looks when getting ready in the morning
- This could explain why more than 70 percent of girls and young women avoid activities when they feel bad about their looks including giving their opinion, attending school and even going to the doctor.
- 76 percent of girls and young women admit to partaking in unhealthy activities when they feel badly about their bodies
- 58 percent of girls describe themselves in negative terms, including words like “disgusting” and “ugly,” when feeling badly about themselves.
- Nearly four out of 10 engage in unhealthy eating behaviors, such as anorexia or bulimia.
- More than one out of 10 girls has used cutting or self-inflicted injury as a coping mechanism.
- The average person sees between 400 and 600 advertisements per day - equivalent to more than one message for every waking minute.
- The average US girl has the opportunity to see an estimated 77,546 commercials by the time she is 12 years old.
For more on this see CNN's article about this called: "Pressure to Look Perfect Drives Girls to Destructive Behavior"
Or read more on this topic: "Sleeping Ugly"
For more Dove videos on the pressure on girls to look perfect: Click Here and Here
I don't know about you, but the above stats make me sick to my stomach.
Labels: Video
posted at 
12 Comments:
I tend to be suspicious when big business shares public awareness messages, but I have to applaud what they have to say.
I was told about one of the new trends in Latin America. Many girls are asking their parents to skip the big 15th birthday party... and give them breast implants instead. So sad.
Thanks for putting this info together.
Grace and peace,
Tim
Trey, as dad of a teenage daughter, I cringe at all the statistics. Sadly, with a few girls in this area, popularity comes with having a baby. The baby then becomes a trophy to show and display. As a youth minister, I know all too well the statistics that are compliled on our teens, especially the females.
Thanks for showing us all why we need good, adult, female mentors for our teens.
keep praying, seeking and serving
I would be one ugly woman!
Brandon Voss
As a youth minister of 8 years and preacher now of 3 these statics are not shocking and steal make me sick. We need to stress to our girls the importance of their inward beauty and godliness. We need to let them know how precious they are to God and how important their virginity is until they get married. We need to let our teens know what is acceptable attire at school and church. We need to let them know what is valuable in the eyes of God. We need to stress to them that they are fearfully and wondfully made.
I am glad that I 3 sons. :-)
Trey Great post brother. Keep up the great work.
My daughters are 20, 24, 25 and 26. Even though I have continually pointed them to God and have tried to get them to see themselves through God's eyes, satan has had a big influence on how they have seen themselves. They are getting it slowly, but it is an uphill battle for them.
Monalea
I told me daughter (gorgeous 22-yr-old) when she was in junior high and struggling with some weight issues there are only two opinions that mean anything when it comes to her looks. Her daddy's and God's. And God sees beauty in her no one else will ever see, so make it your priority in life to remain beautiful in God's eyes. She has done that.
I think it's ironic that Dove is doing a "real beauty" campaign since they have spent so many years promoting the "perfect" image themselves.
I'm not sure how any young girl can possibly reach adulthood without suffering from some of the effects of not being able to measure up to society's idea of beauty.
The scary thing is that these issues reach far beyond young girls. In recent years, there has been a rapid rise in eating disorders in the 30-50 age group.
In my community, the trend is to get a group of women together and head south for lap-bands, tummy tucks, and plastic surgeries. There's just so much pressure.
i'm with nb in observing the destructive nature that has already been carried from youth into adulthood, you don't hit a magic age where you are beyond society's indoctrination, especially if it has become a part of your culture. and then you pass your issues on to the young.
thank you for sharing the video and the links...
it is good to become conscious of the extent of the present bombardment. and to become equally conscious of whether our words or actions support this negative climate.
Homeschool your kids and they won't turn out wacked out about their appearance or what kind of clothes they wear to school...solution solved.
OK, that was sarcasim...but this is a real problem that needs real solutions. If parents put their minds on things above and not things on this earth then our children will follow suit.
Good point Trey!
This makes me feel good about myself and what I have become. But it is not just the industries that make girls think this way. It is the constant, constant ads, friends, and jokes.
I know from example that many if not all women and some men think about their image every day. There is a difference between HEALTH and just looking good. At a time in my life, I looked my best, but I was unhealthy and many people didn't know that. They just looked at my figure on not my mind or health. I was working at for 3-4 hours a day and only eating cereal with skim milk. I pay for it every day. I look in the mirror now....and most people do....fight the ideas about losing weight or I am too fat or saggy. I will make sure that I always encourage not only my daughter, but friends and family that ... health is much important that being skinny. Your health will finally go when you don't take care of yourself.
And, remember....it isn't only girls... men can have the same troubles. Also, if you have children encourage them to have active lifes and eat healthy. Make sure you make a good example. Also if you have boys, make it a point to talk to them about how women are beautiful in all shape and form.
We have to do our part in creating a safe and HEALTHY environment for ourself and our children.
Stephanie
Trey,
This is pathetic.. look at what the enemy is doing to our women.. I know women think these things and us men have no idea. I make it a point to tell my wife that she is beautiful every day, so that she first and for most knows what is fact and what is opinion. Also, I really don't think it is just a woman thing anymore.. Men are starting to deal with it too. However not to the extent but it is becoming a norm for males to be angry with themselves due to their looks or weight.. We live in such a modelistic mindset thinking we must look like this to achieve our dream.. Just a few points to think about.. great post!
Zach Detwiler
Stephanie ... You bring up an excellent point. Yes 100% yes, we need to encourage our kids to be healthy. Thank you for bringing that out.
Post a Comment
<< Home