This summer I have been working with a few professors on body image research. After reading more interviews than I ever thought I would make it through I have become painfully aware that a large portion of the girls we talked to aren’t confident with themselves, these girls are extremely talented, smart and beautiful but they don’t recognize any of that. Instead they focus on what they don’t have: the perfectly flat stomach, the $300 pair of perfectly worn out jeans, the best grade in American Heritage, or that cute boyfriend. Don’t get me wrong there are quite a few things about myself that I would change if I was given a magic wand, but I am having a really hard time understanding why girls that have so much potential are unable or unwilling to recognize their talents, uniqueness and at the risk of sounding too much like a Laurel advisor-their divine nature. After spending a fair amount of time trying to figure out why it is that these girls don’t like themselves I have decided to focus on why others do actually like themselves (I thought this was an easier question to answer since there seem to be fewer that actually see past the mirror). I spent a fair amount of time trying to think back on the girls that I have known well. I have had the opportunity to come in contact with many talented women: my mom, my sister, roommates, friends, aunts, grandmothers (and grandmother-in-laws), and sister-in-laws. These women are drastically different, but each has something that makes them amazing: my mom has quiet strength that you can rely on even when other things haven’t held up, my sister has a passion for life, a previous roommate has a smile for everyone no matter how bad her day is going, another has the ability to tell it like is, even when you don’t want to hear it; you get it, the list goes on and on. As I have reflected on these women I have come to a simple conclusion. The solution to the problem is to encourage and recognize our unique set of talents, achievements and abilities. The most self assured and confident women I have known were the ones who KNEW they were good at something. These girls were encouraged by parents, friends, aunts, and grandmothers to pursue their interests. It didn’t matter what the interest was: sports, reading, painting, theater or even underwater basket weaving (well not really). Success and encouragement in this one area helped the girls develop a positive self image (our study has shown the same thing). So what does this mean, it means we need to recognize the talents of those around us, not only that but we need to tell them! Just one little compliment can go a long way! Okay I am stepping off the soapbox now.
*in case you were wondering about the cheesy title of this blog this FANTASTIC movie should help clear that up for you, a professor showed us this commerical in one of my classes and I think it is great!
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.ca/flat2.asp?id=4801 (if this link doesnt work go to the dove campaign for real beauty 2006 television ad)
1 comment:
I love the DOVE commercials!! I see them all the time in Canada and they always make me stop and think about how I am doing with my personal self-esteem. I am so glad there is someone else out there that likes them! Your project sounds really interesting. I'd love to hear more about it....
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