Birdie’s self-image is tied to how she views her body, thinking even in 1975 that she was a “freak,” constantly slouching so as not to seem so tall. How do you think today’s teens are affected by body image? Are they impacted more, less, or about the same as Birdie was?
I think maybe about the same. Social media has been very punishing and shaming young girls sense of themselves.
I have five granddaughters. All of whom have lamented some part of their body at some time in their not quite finished growing up. Becoming interested and engaged in dance, horses, books, friends, gardens and the world has given them different ways to perceive themselves as whole persons, not just their physical selves. Birdie was so centered and valued because of her physical attributes and demands on them that she really had little opportunity to recognize and develop all of potential. Most of the people around her mirrored only what they saw and did not draw upon her latent strengths, emotional or intellectual life.
I think girls & women are constantly affected by body image. Our society is always placing standards on women about their bodies, & what is supposed to be the idea of beauty. Even young girls who come from loving & caring families can develop serious eating disorders or issues about their looks. But in today’s cultural standards & the constant used of social media, I think boys & young men are also starting to be affected by the idea of a “perfect” body.
I think girls today have it both harder and easier. On the one hand, they are bombarded non-stop with ads that promote unattainable beauty. There are more outlets for that sort of thing than ever before.
On the other hand, advertisers are making more of an attempt to include body shapes that are a little curvier. There’s some acknowledgement that no everyone has a perfect body.
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Sadly, as a professional psychologist working with this age group, there is still so much pressure to be grown up, but not so much in body image as with make-up, hair and clothing. I do feel there is much pressure to figure out your place in the pecking order of girls as well. Being overweight and embracing your size seems to be trending among older teens and women in their 20’s and 30’s too.
I think there are different kinds of pressure now than in earlier decades prior to social media. Teen girls used to starve themselves to be thin, and now there seems to be a little more acceptance of different body types. Now females are using filters and face-tuning their photos to the point where they are not even recognizable.
I think teenage girls are a little less impacted by image. Social media celebrates all different types of bodies and clothing. The labels are still important to some, but putting together funky outfits and thrift shopping are discussed in a fun way.
I believe today’s teens are affected more so, thanks to social media. it has brought drama to the lives of our young ones. Even young girls who come from loving and caring families can develop issues. Hopefully as parents we are more aware of the issue and can make the proper decisions to find them a place to express their concerns.
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I think teens are impacted more today then ever. Social media, celebrities ,weight loss drugs all promote beauty and weight standard that is not realistic. Then there are filters that make someone look perfect and young girls see this.
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Unfortunately, I think that girls today face as much pressure with regards to their physical appearance as did girls in Birdie’s days. It is a sad part of our culture.
The Ozempic and copycat GLP drug use for common weight loss (not obese or medically necessary weight loss) is frightening. Some users have to be hooked up to artificial stomachs when their own stops digesting food, the yo-yo weight gain if and when one goes off the drug, and the so-called “Ozempic face” can be frightening. Healthy young adults suddenly are unrecognizable.
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I think girls now would feel lucky to have had her features. The look young girls try to emulate is the tall, skinny look that runways showcase.
I think teens these days are highly affected by body image, just as all teens have been since the beginning of time. Social media and the internet exacerbate the issue, of course.