Having worked in the body image field for many years now I feel as if I have been a special part of some wins regarding the issue. There has been much achieved in bringing body image to the fore as a health and societal concern and I know that there are some amazing community groups doing positive
work to help people feel more body confident. Today I am not feeling so winning however, as the nation’s largest Youth Survey by Mission Australia has once again found that Australian young people claim body image to be one of their greatest concerns. This is not something we as a country or society should think is a lightweight issue. We have to do better. We have to do more.
The Victorian and Australian Governments have introduced initiatives over the past few years to try and address these concerns, but clearly they are not having the impact hoped for. Why this is will undoubtedly become a considerable topic of debate as fingers of blame get pointed for measures not working in the way they have been designed to. I would like to put my hand up and express frustration on at least one point and that is the Federal Governments Body Image Symbol. Post the announcement of this symbol which was to be made available to those companies who promoted positive body image (so we could all get on board and support them!) what has been done regarding implementation? I’m ready to open my wallet and actively cheer and promote those companies I think are doing a good job in this arena, but the lag in being able to do so is not serving anyone. The actual response to the recommendations put forward to the Government in the National Strategy on Body Image were a long time coming and I appreciate these things take time, but if these findings today are not enough of a motivator for the Government to get a move on I don’t know what will be. Despite my thoughts on that however, this is not a time to cry out that everything being done is wrong or not enough. What will that do? Positive, focused action is required.
So what is the solution here? I know it’s not simple and has to involve all cross sections of our society and community including media, government, schools, youth organisations, sporting organisations and many more. But it also involves me. And you. We cannot cry out for change on a large scale level unless we, you and me, are prepared to help too. And help we must. If this issue is not taken control of soon and the level of low self worth and negative body image our young people are experiencing addressed in a comprehensive way, we face a potential plethora of mental, emotional, social and physical health problems that will not only impact their quality of life considerably, but become inter-generational as well. It doesn’t matter to me if you are Australian or not, as I am relatively certain that similar feelings are being experienced by young people regarding their body image the world over. What matters to me is only that you are willing.
I’m asking for your help to become, if you are not already, a positive body image advocate. Yes – you. Beautiful You. I consider myself to be a positive body image advocate because, put simply, I choose to be feel confident about the way I look and encourage others to do the same. Being a positive body image advocate does not require a degree or special qualification. It doesn’t mean you have to have overcome negative body image or an eating disorder. You don’t have to know a great deal about the psychology of the issue. Being an advocate means that you do two things:
Commit to loving and honouring your body the best way you know how and always think and speak about the way you look in a positive way.
Shout loudly to the rooftops that you believe that beautiful, healthy people come in all shapes and sizes, that every person deserves to feel confident about their appearance and that you will not promote or support body shaming tactics by other people, groups, media outlets or companies.
If you show this love and respect of your body to others, encourage them to do the same and actively work towards helping everyone feel the same way – YOU are a positive body image advocate. YOU have the capacity to inspire others to love their body. YOU have the ability to teach your children to stand up against appearance based teasing and bullying. YOU can be motivated to ask your local school, sporting club or community group how they are supporting your child and other young people develop life long self esteem and body confidence. YOU have the power to stand against fat hatred, racial hatred and hatred of any kind. YOU have the drive to be media literate and savvy and pass that information on to others.
If you read Beautiful You regularly then I know you are here for a reason. Many of you send me emails telling me what that reason is for you, all of which inspire me to keep blogging, writing and supporting you. You tell me how much I support you but I want to let you know that YOU, simply by being here and believing in the philosophy of this blog are or can be a positive body image advocate too. Don’t hide your body love away. It’s ok to tell others you love and respect the way you look. You will inspire them to do the same and pass it on and on and on and on.
We need you. I need you. Children and young people the world over need you.
Whose with me?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Amen to all of this! We must keep pushing forward, be our own best body image advocate and inspire others in the process. Each individual has within their power their voice to share on these topics. I believe we have power in our voices, and must continue to fight the good fight
Thank you! I truly believe we can all play a positive role here. Thanks for taking the journey with me.