Self-Image In Girls

Girls are given a lot of messages about how they should behave, talk, dress and look good in the presence of others. Not all the messages that these girls receive are healthy and it starts very young so as to leave an imprint on their young minds.

There is an increase in the sexual nature of advertisements and social media. Most of these images contain girls having a perfect body or a beautiful face etc. This kind of promotion suggests to girls that their worth is derived grossly from how to look and how appealing they are sexually.

Sexualisation affects the girls’ psychological development and mental health. This mindset, in turn, affects how girls and women are treated and viewed in a broader sense too. Here, it is very important to help the girls develop a positive self-image and self-esteem which is beyond “ Body and Beauty “. The young girls have to be taught to question the messages that are shown in social media, print media, TV etc.

It is important to remember….

• Judging a person’s  own worth on their sexual behaviour and appeal to exclude other characteristics completely is sexualisation

• The sexual nature of messages implies to the young minds that the most important aspect of their being is sexiness, beauty and associated factors and it becomes a part of their perceived childhood experience.
• The sources of these messages are advertising, television, gaming, newspapers and pornographic sites.
• These messages encourage sexualisation of girls from a very young age; before they are ready physically or emotionally
• Exploiting children, especially female children as sex objects are detrimental to adolescent mental health. It increases the risk of low-self esteem, eating disorders and depression.
• Research shows that girls and women are portrayed considerably more as sex objects than Boys or men.

What can you do as Parents or Caretakers?

Educate girls:

to value themselves for who they are as People rather than how they look and impart Value education to boys for looking at girls in a perspective other than as a sexual object.

Also, Talk with your children:

Explore their patterns of watching Movies, shows etc. Encourage them to talk to you about sexuality and their views about the same.  Hence, Encourage the female child to dress and choose their appearance;  functional and comfortable rather than placing too much importance on what makes them look beautiful and appealing.If you do not like a TV show that they watch or a dress that they wear, explain to them why you have that opinion rather than forcing it on them.

Presentable:

 Being Presentable and Tidy is a different idea than being overly concerned about good looks. Learn the difference and make your children understand that too.

Encourage sports:

extracurricular activities, music, art etc over physical appearance. Do not forget to celebrate feminity as well, maybe by giving a special lunch or flowers when the female child begins menstruating.

Be and provide healthy role models:

Children will learn what they see rather than what you tell them to do. Watch out for how much you talk about diets, body image etc. Understand and make them learn Healthy eating and fitness; Rather than just being of a particular weight or of a waist size.

Never criticize :

Don’t measure a child’s worth on the basis of their physical appearance.

Father’s role:

Is very important in the development of the daughter’s self-image and the son’s views about women. The way the man of the family treats and talks about women is very important in the formation of worldview in children.

Talk more:

About the role models and the characteristics, you want your child to copy.

Help your children:

To focus on what is important in adult life; which direction they should think, feel or the values they should keep. Always remind children to value people over their appearances and not judge them on their looks.

Again, keep in mind, it is your actions that the child will copy and not what you teach them verbally! So,  If your child is preoccupied with dress and appearances, do not force discipline on her. Maintaining a healthy relationship with your daughter is most important.

Thus, If you think your child is suffering from a negative self-image and self-esteem and that is affecting her day to day activities, a psychologist may be able to help. Take the first step towards Change.