Dads Helping Daughters With Their Body Image

Measuring Tape - girls continue to struggle with body image problems.

Body image problems and low self esteem are fueling a rise in the prevalence of eating disorders in our society. As many of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty's efforts convey, there needs to be a change in the way we see beauty and the way we see ourselves. According to an article at DIY Father, over 40% of girls in first, second and third grade wish they were thinner. These are 6, 7 and 8 year old children! Something needs to change!

The article addressed an important part of self esteem building - having a supportive family that doesn't just shrug off concerns or reassure blindly by saying "you're beautiful", but that takes the time to discuss what's happening in the media, and tells the child specific things about her (or him!) that are beautiful. In particular, the article addressed dads.

We often think of our mothers helping us with things like body image questions or fashion advice, but fathers are important, too! There are many single father families out there as well, and it's important to help everyone learn more about empowering their children and helping them to develop a healthy body image. So dads, if you're looking for help, the biggest thing you can do is listen. Not only listen to your children, but listen to the messages that are getting sent their way in the media and online. You can't provide a bullet-proof shield from these messages, but you can provide the knowledge and strength to think independently and know how to handle them.

We were excited to find this article since it puts a new twist on helping reinforce a healthy body image. Our partnership with the National Eating Disorders Association will only grow stronger with the supportive thinking that the author of the DIY Father article has put forward. Remember, it's not only your jeans, it's what's in your genes that's truly beautiful!

Posted by Lesley Anderson on January 17, 2008 at 2:19 PM

Tags: body image, dads helping with body image, diy dad, diy father, eating disorders, national eating disorders association, neda, negative body image, parents helping girls with body image, self esteem, stay at home dad, true jeans, truejeans, truejeans and neda

Filed under: True Beauty

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