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BODY IMAGE AND THE ROLE IT PLAYS ON ADOLESCENTS

Body Image and The Role it Plays on Adolescents Kristin Hensley Grand Canyon University: EDU 330 11/3/2020

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Students in the United States are finding themselves to be tasked with more pressure in their learning environment as the years go by. One of the biggest factors affecting students in our schools is the issue of body image and one’s self perception. As a student, I remember focusing more on how I looked in the mornings than making sure that I understood the content that I had been given by my teachers. Body image has played a role in students lives throughout history and has caused numerous controversies as well as arguments on its importance to both teachers and students within our school systems. Cultural Identifier and Controversial issue related to K-12 education (keep these headers in your paper) Studies suggest that children start experiencing their own individual concepts about their bodies as early as three years old. These opinions are mostly formed by the role of the parent or guardian within the child’s life. The attitudes, perception, and actions that a parent or guardian places on themselves in the household begins to rub off on the child and that’s where the child’s thinking begins (Sussex Publishing, n.d.). As student begin school and their routines Physical Education begins to play an important role on a child’s self-perception as well as this curriculum focuses on the human body and what is considered healthy and unhealthy. This curriculum can potentially cause negative perceptions to form in a child’s mind (Kerner, Haerens, & Kirk, 2017). Key Historical Events/ Background As we take a look back into the history of the expectations set upon men and women we realize that there has always been a set or “norms” that were considered socially acceptable. In the 80’s it was big hair and bright colors, the 90’s urged fair skin tones and thin frames, and in recent years the norm is an athletic physique, tan, and contoured face (Saenz-Herrero, CabezasGarduno, & Galvez, 2019). As time passes on, the expectations change too, and with it the

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perception of what the perfect “look” is. Educators should try to find way to highlight the importance of being oneself and that the “it” look is whatever one wants it to be. Controversies/Injustices As the pressure of what is socially acceptable starts to change, the mental health of a student who takes on this pressure starts to deteriorate. Mental health is one of the biggest problems that we have in our country and it’s something that educators need to start taking seriously. There is a rise in depression cases, anxiety, and suicide. Negative behaviors begin such as turning to drugs, alcohol, or self-harm to make themselves feel better (Ramos, MorenoMaldonado, Moreno, & Rivera, 2019). Body image is one of the leading concerns that can be attributed to a child’s mental health. Resources need to be available to students so that they can find and receive the help that they may need when these problems arise. Current Opinions and Arguments For and Arguments Against When we take a deeper look into our school settings, we find that body image plays a huge role on a child’s social skills. When a student feels bad about themselves, they start to close themselves off from the people around them, schoolwork begins to suffer, and the thought of loving oneself becomes a distant memory. In a world that is full of someone else telling us who we should be or what we should look like, we need to take further steps to ensure that a child knows that their worth isn’t measured in the amount of money they put into themselves but the amount of worth they have as an individual. Student’s need to know that a healthy lifestyle is important, but that trying one new healthy option a day is better for them than nothing at all. They should celebrate little win with each other. It can be a thin line that we walk as educators because students need to know they dangers of not making healthy choices and the risks they

BODY IMAGE AND THE ROLE IT PLAYS ON ADOLESCENTS

may take, but we also need to instill in our students the importance of self-worth and a positive outlook on oneself (Diedrichs, Atkinson, Steer, Garbett, Rumsey, & Halliwell, 2015). How Teachers and Students are affected Students are starting to create unhealthy habits in order to fit in with the expectations that are thrusted onto them from their peers, doctors, and media influences. Eating disorders begin to try and lose weight, Attitudes about education arises because of the “cool look” that they see on TV. Students begin to focus more on their look, than their own education while others begin to create a negative perception about themselves. Educators are stretched thin by the expectations that they’re given to teach a certain strict curriculum and have limited time to focus on the individual needs of their students. This doesn’t even begin to touch the social and emotional needs that their students may have. Teachers encourage their students to be their best selves, use their best brains, and spread positivity when they can, but for some students, they need a little more than a short lecture from an adult. Solutions for injustice There needs to be a certain expectation from educators, administrators, counselors, and staff that highlight the importance of self-worth in education. Lesson plans on health living, mental health, risks of self-harm, drugs, and alcohol should be implemented in schools worldwide. Social media outlets should reconsider the age limits that they’ve set and enforce stricter penalties to the content that’s provided on their platforms. Celebrity influencers should promote positivity on loving oneself and having a positive outlook on life, while mental health professionals should be easily accessible to school age students to promote a healthy mental outlook. Parents should also take preventative measures with their children to ensure that what they’re looking at is promoting a healthy environment that is supportive and nonjudgmental.

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We have the opportunity to change the way that they world thinks it should see us. The simplest conversation that spreads truth and love can easily place a child on the right track. Selflove is one of the most important tools in a child’s toolbelt and we need to place a priority on the mental health of the children in the world. (O’dea & Abraham, 2000) One small 30 minute lecture a week can change a person for the rest of their life if it’s used and presented correctly, and I’m personally ready to see the change in the world where we can all love one another for who we are, and not for how we look, act, or how much money we may have in our pockets.

References

Diedrichs, P. C., Atkinson, M. J., Steer, R. J., Garbett, K. M., Rumsey, N., & Halliwell, E. (2015). Effectiveness of a brief school-based body image intervention ‘Dove Confident Me: Single Session’ when delivered by teachers and researchers: Results from a cluster randomised controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 74, 94-104. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2015.09.004

Kerner, C., Haerens, L., & Kirk, D. (2017). Understanding body image in physical education. European Physical Education Review, 24(2), 255-265. doi:10.1177/1356336x17692508

O'dea, J. A., & Abraham, S. (2000). Improving the body image, eating attitudes, and behaviors of young male and female adolescents: A new educational approach that focuses on selfesteem. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 28(1), 43-57. doi:10.1002/(sici)1098108x(200007)28:13.0.co;2-d

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Ramos, P., Moreno-Maldonado, C., Moreno, C., & Rivera, F. (2019). The Role of Body Image in Internalizing Mental Health Problems in Spanish Adolescents: An Analysis According to Sex, Age, and Socioeconomic Status. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01952

Sáenz-Herrero, M., Cabezas-Garduño, J., & Galvez, C. D. (2019). Gender, Corporality, and Body Image. Psychopathology in Women, 265-293. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-15179-9_11

Sussex Publishing (Ed.). (n.d.). Body Image. Retrieved November 05, 2020, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/body-image...