I have posted articles, images, and videos related to body image issues in the female, youth population, but I have yet to tell a personal story. I remember shopping with my mother when I was just twelve-years-old. She had gained weight after going back to college, and needed to find new clothes because she had outgrown hers. Despite her weight gain, my mother is and was absolutely beautiful. I remember waiting outside the dressing room as the tried on a pant suit, but she didn't come out. Eventually I knocked on the door, and when she let me in, I noticed tears in her eyes. She sat on the floor and began to sob, saying that she thought she was going to be sick every time she looked in the mirror. I was shocked. This woman, who had always been inspirational in her strength, encouraging me to be true to myself and proud of who I was, had been reduced to tears because of her weight. The image of her sitting on the floor in the corner of this dressing room will be with me forever. She helped me to understand the NOBODY is immune to societal pressures. People often stigmatize eating disorders, self-mutilation, and body dysmprohic issues. I urge everyone to fight the urge to judge people suffering with these issues, and to take every opportunity to offer help and support.

Teen Plastic Surgery

Let's discuss why teenagers are getting plastic surgery! In 2003, over 74,000 plastic surgeries were performed on teens - a 14% increase in just three years. The number shoots to 336,000 if you include cosmetic procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and botox! What is going on? This article tells the stories of a few teens who decided to go under the knife. They describe underlying issues like low self-esteem and social isolation, which should be addressed through counseling, not surgery. What an extreme, expensive, and unhealthy band aid for a problem that is NOT only skin deep!

Super model, covergirl

According to Nada Stotland, a professor of psychiatry at Rush Medical College in Chicago, "We know seeing super-thin models can play a role in causing anorexia." Why, then, do we as a society continue to see harmful images in fashion magazines, in movies, and on television? Body-image researcher Sarah Murnen says, "The promotion of the thin, sexy ideal in our culture has created a situation where the majority of girls and women don't like their bodies." Experts link eating disorders, depression, and dysmorphia with this trend. As a society, we need to return the message of "thin as beautiful," with a counter message: "we love our bodies!" The body image-related messages we receive from the media are designed to feed an industry that makes millions of dollars a year at the expense of our self-esteems. Recognizing the issue is not enough as it has become so ingrained in our culture, the effects are inescapable. Kudos to Madrid for placing regulations on the size of their models during fashion week last year - they required that all models be in a normal weight range, which means a 5-foot-9 woman would need to weigh at least 125 pounds.

Body Images: All Shapes and Sizes

Body image issues effect men, women, teens, children-everyone. The debate regarding where these issues stem from is ongoing, but I thought this video provided some interesting perspectives. It's just a short clip, but features expert opinions and interviews with regular people discussing their personal struggles and why they believe this issue is so prevalent.

Self mutilation

I would like to address the issue self mutilation.  Through my experience as a volunteer at the Austin State Hospital, I learned about the prevalence and severity of this problem in the female, adolescent population.   Self mutilation, or "cutting" is often associated with body image issues, and effects a diverse group of people.  Through my work at the State Hospital, I noticed that writing, especially poetry, was an effective outlet for teenage girls struggling with this issue.  The poems I read while working with these patients were beautiful, alarming, vulnerable, and brave.  I would like to suggest a few websites for anyone interested in learning more about self-injury, who it effects, and how to help.

www.helpguide.org/mental/self_injury.htm

www.wso.williams.edu/~atimofey/selfmutilation/

www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html

www.mirror-mirror/selfing.htm

There have been studies done to see if the health of African American adolescents is affected by the sexual stereptypes in rap videos. You will be shocked at what was discovered!

http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jwh.2007.0429

Black Women Constantly Degraded in Hip-Hop

Every day, African American women are degraded and degrade themselves in music videos, on national television, for the world to see. These women are portrayed as mere sex objects, pretty face, and big butts. They are not judged by their intelligence or personality. Instead they are judged by their physical appearance and how "well" they can bounce their ass! Don't believe me, check out this video by Nelly. This video alone raised so much controversy and awareness within the Black community at large.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCjSyUXGGxQ

As a result of this video, as well as many others, BET hosted a show called "Hip Hop Vs. America." Here's a short clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lNPV2BO5lk