This Video Reveals What Our Daughters Perceive When We Critique Our Bodies

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This Video Reveals What Our Daughters Perceive When We Critique Our Bodies

by Mia Thompson
March 2, 2023

Our discussions about the “ideal body” can be pretty grim. How often do you glance in the mirror and think, “Wow, I look fantastic today?” Or indulge in dessert without a cloud of guilt over the calories? If you’re anything like me, the answer is probably not very often. Many of us view and talk about our bodies as if they’re a colossal letdown, and a striking new video emphasizes why we need to change that—especially around our daughters.

The magazine, Real Simple, asked young girls to share some of the remarks they hear from women. Let’s just say, the results aren’t pretty.

• “My diet starts tomorrow,” says one girl.
• “I could never wear a dress without Spanx,” another chimes in.
• “I’m so bad. I had a cupcake today,” adds yet another.

Every single day, daughters are bombarded with harmful messages about achieving the perfect body from billboards, television, magazines, and video games. We all know how damaging this can be and it’s easy to point fingers at the media. But what about taking a good look in the mirror ourselves? Recent studies have shown that if mothers express discontent with their bodies, their daughters are likely to mimic these behaviors and develop similar negative body image issues. In other words, if we’re unhappy with our bodies, they probably will be too. Furthermore, research indicates that daughters who feel good about their bodies generally lead happier lives overall. This highlights that the effects of negative body image extend far beyond mere appearance—it can affect a girl’s entire existence.

So, how do we put a stop to this cycle?

One effective approach is to refrain from discussing bodies altogether. It’s essential to avoid making negative or even positive comments about celebrities, friends, or family members’ appearances. Such remarks can create an unrealistic standard in our kids’ minds. We should also steer clear of commenting on our children’s weight fluctuations. Talking about bodies in terms of health and functionality is perfectly fine, but anything beyond that can be detrimental.

Another way to combat body dissatisfaction is to transform our negative self-talk into positive affirmations. We need to shift the conversation entirely. The young girls featured in the video provide us with some excellent examples of how to do this with uplifting messages for women:

• “You’re beautiful, even if you don’t realize it,” one girl says.
• “They’re lovely inside and out, no matter how they look,” another shares.
• “There’s no such thing as ugly or fat. Everyone has beauty,” adds yet another.

Just like extending kindness to others, being compassionate toward ourselves requires using kind language. It’s crucial that we change the way we speak about our bodies—for our own well-being and for the sake of our daughters.

Looking for more insights? Check out this related blog post to stay engaged with topics that matter.

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Summary:

This article highlights the negative impact of body criticism on daughters and emphasizes the importance of changing our language surrounding body image. By fostering a positive dialogue about our bodies, we can help improve the self-esteem and overall happiness of the next generation.