Discovery Girls, a well-known tween magazine, strives to help girls aged 8 to 12 cultivate a “positive sense of self.” However, the latest issue (April/May) includes a three-page swimsuit guide offering advice on how to select “the perfect suit for your body type!”
If my daughter, an 8-year-old in the magazine’s target demographic, were to read this, she’d encounter tips like:
- “If your shape is more straight, try asymmetrical straps and bold patterns to create the illusion of curves!”
- “For those who are rounder in the middle, busy geometric designs can draw the eye inward!”
- “If you have a curvy bottom, highlight your top with eye-catching details!”
Honestly, my daughter’s only consideration for swimsuits is whether they feature cute designs and colors—essentially, what she likes. She remains blissfully unaware of body image concerns while in her swimsuit, and I aim to maintain that innocence for as long as possible.
There’s no need for her to fret about finding a suit that “adds curves” to her perfectly normal prepubescent figure. She shouldn’t have to think about how to “nip in” her waist or whether her tummy is a distraction. The suggestion to “pull the attention up” from a curvy bottom only adds unnecessary pressure. (Interestingly, the illustration of the curvy bottom girl seems to depict someone with African-American features.)
It’s puzzling how a magazine that claims to promote healthy self-image could publish such an article, potentially leading young girls to scrutinize their bodies in ways they hadn’t before. Instead of fostering a positive body image, it might push them to question themselves, wondering if they should opt for a swimsuit with a skirt to draw attention away from their bodies.
Creating a magazine involves extensive teamwork, with multiple individuals reviewing and refining each article. It raises the question: How did this error slip through? Catherine Lee, the publisher, expressed her confusion in an open letter on the magazine’s Facebook page, stating:
“It’s difficult for me to comprehend how an article that contradicts our mission could be published. The intent was to discuss cute, fun swimsuits that empower girls, not to focus on body image in a negative way.”
I’m still perplexed, as this doesn’t seem to align with the awareness of how impressionable young girls are, so how can it be “ALWAYS” mindful, Ms. Lee?
Moreover, this isn’t the first instance of a supposedly empowering brand offering unhelpful beauty advice to young girls. Just last year, I critiqued a similar misstep from Lego Friends magazine, which provided “beauty tips” for haircuts based on face shapes for kids aged 5 to 12. My daughter read that one and questioned whether she had an oval face, as it was described as the ideal shape. After significant backlash, Lego issued an apology.
Here we are again, a year later. We don’t want to keep reiterating this, but we will if necessary: It is UNACCEPTABLE to “helpfully” highlight differences in girls’ bodies and suggest they need fixing.
Let them enjoy their childhood, and let’s leave their bodies alone. Period.
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Summary
Discovery Girls magazine recently faced criticism for publishing a swimsuit guide that emphasizes body type, potentially influencing young girls’ perceptions of their bodies. The article suggests adjustments based on body shape, contradicting the magazine’s mission to support a positive self-image. Publisher Catherine Lee acknowledged the oversight, but concerns remain about the impact of such messaging on impressionable readers.