How can we teach young girls to be confident without needing constant affirmation about their looks?
I see countless questions on this forum posted by young girls asking "Am I pretty?" and posting pictures of themselves. Aside from the fact that it's not a good idea for kids to post pictures of themselves on the internet, why do our American girls need such constant affirmation that they look attractive?
I've noticed this ever since elementary school. Girls that say things like: "I'm so ugly," or "I'm so fat," just so that people will protest: "No! You're very pretty!"
How can we teach young women to be satisfied with the way they look?
2006-10-14 14:31:52 · 10 answers · asked by Lanani 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
It all comes from family. I was fortunate to have a loving family that complimented both my mental abilities and my outward beauty almost daily. I was confident, and not cocky. People would tell me I was pretty all the time, but I still never believed them. Now, after having a baby, I have gained a lot of weight, and see that I truly WAS pretty 'back then'. It must be something that society has implanted deep within women. I've seen women who think they are beautiful, and let everyone know it. It's really annoying, actually.
Growing up in NY, I always felt that if I were REALLY pretty, I could be the victim of a kidnapping or rape! I didn't WANT to be too pretty. I always heard catcalls, etc in NY and it annoyed me. When I moved to the midwest where men actually respect women a bit more- nobody catcalled me, and I began to think I was unattractive! It's a confusing world out there for women.
Men don't make it any better by watching porn, etc. It makes us strive harder to be what men want, because we all want men ( well.. a lot of us do, anyway.) Female movie stars of all sorts are slim, have perfect teeth, blahblah, and men droooool over them. We, in turn, look at what it is the men are drooling over, and want to compare ourselves to them, so our men won't leave us for someone like them.
I dunno.. that's my answer, and I'm stickin to it! lol
2006-10-14 16:41:19 · answer #1 · answered by royrox 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These girls learn these self demeaning traits from the women they look up to. Usually, it is their mother, or an older sister that puts the idea in their heads and they don't even realize they are affecting the young girls who emulate them. Now that they are more social, they have some one to ask "am I pretty?" And of course that is also the time that peer pressure begins and the desire for "perfection" becomes almost obsessive.
2006-10-14 21:40:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think a girl child receives her self-respect and self-image from her father. If he is encouraging and a positive role model, he'll convey a confidence and positive self-image to his daughter. If he is absent, or aloof he'll convey a negative self-image, which carries forward until adulthood. A girl who has a negative self-image also develops a harmful lack of self-respect. Similar to young boys with some slight masculine differences.
2006-10-14 22:02:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
how can we help the ones that are unwilling to even help themselves? that's the reason why plastic surgeon are so rich! it's not only young ones that are not able to accept they way they are or for who there are but it goes to all ages as well and unless if one choose to love and like themselves it would be in vain whatever we try to do to help them and on the other hand i believe parenting and religion helps to shape a person's life in long run.
2006-10-14 21:52:01 · answer #4 · answered by - 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a neice that participated in sports in high school ...she also played an instrument...I think she realized that she was a lot more than her looks...
2006-10-14 21:50:19 · answer #5 · answered by Mac 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's hard...but I'm trying
and sumtimes my own family puts me down so that's much more complicated...do u know what I mean?
but sumtimes I say in the mirror that I don't look as bad as they say I do
2006-10-14 21:40:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we can't, there will always be little girls in the world who aren't satisifed with the way they look
2006-10-14 21:40:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're fighting an age old problem that you can't win. It's human nature. Face it and deal with it.
2006-10-14 21:39:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
lol, im a cheerleader "c-o-n-f-i-d-e-n-c-e confidence is all u need, dont feel bad if u dont look like a barbie, jus feel good u look like who? who? who? u!
2006-10-14 21:36:52 · answer #9 · answered by Breezy ♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always teach them good hygiene and grooming. (Beauty Routines.)
2006-10-14 21:36:38 · answer #10 · answered by RRE 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋