This guest post is contributed by Alisa Gilbert.
As anyone who watches television or surfs the Internet knows, the media is rife with images of women who are unnaturally thin and lean. As adults, for the most part, we know that these “ideal” body types are unattainable and are the result of wanton advertising and media campaigns. Most magazine photos are doctored, and most actresses and models are about as unhealthy as they come. But our daughters don’t necessarily know that, and research has suggested that girls as young as five are consuming media and taking these ideal body types to heart. Here are a few tips for ensuring that your little girls don’t get swayed by these images.
1. Monitor your child’s television viewing and Internet surfing as much as possible.
While it’s impossible to ban television or the Internet altogether, watching TV or consuming other forms of media with your child is a good bonding activity, and it enables you to look out for unhealthy body images, giving you an opportunity to ask your kid questions and tell your child the truth behind these images.
2. Be careful what you say about your own body.
Young children, still in early stages of mental development, learn very quickly by becoming adept imitators. For girls, the mother figure is often the most influential person in the early part of her life. If she sees and hears you worrying about your weight and obsessing about your body, then she’ll be concerned about her body, too. When in front of your girls, be careful about what you say.
3. Take your girls on outings away from the mall.
Although shopping with mommy is a very common experience for young girls, the mall can be hotbed of negative body images. Frighteningly thin mannequins and older girls embracing Hollywood body images can have an indelible impact on your growing girls’ psyche. Try limiting the shopping time and go to parks or zoos instead.
4. Emphasize health over weight.
Establishing good eating and exercise habits at an early age is always a good idea for your child’s overall well-being. But make sure that you emphasize why these habits are so important. Don’t justify limiting junk food by saying it will make you fat. Rather, talk to your girls about health issues that don’t concern weight.
5. Think twice before criticizing.
A recent survey reported in the UK newspaper the Guardian suggests that mothers are much harder and more critical of daughters than they are of sons. Whether or not this is true, remember that a girl’s body image is also very closely aligned to her self-image. Criticizing your daughters too often can substantially impact their self-esteem. And when a girl’s self-esteem is low, her risk of developing an eating disorder escalates.
Thanks, Alisa, for the great post! Parents – how do you help your girls keep a good body image? Are you worried about this yet? Share your ideas and thoughts!
