It has never failed that when I ask my students to write goals or resolutions for the year, a lot of the girls write that they want to lose weight or change something about themselves. At first, this was a sad and shocking revelation but unfortunately now, this is the norm. It really bothers me that these girls feel like they have to diet, exercise, buy designer clothes, or wear tons of make-up to be "perfect". This disgusts me and when I look at the media, it disgusts me even more. Celebrities are getting lip injections, plastic surgery, etc because "they were self-conscious and these procedures make them feel better".
I can't help but wonder what message this sends to girls today? You don't like something about yourself? Well instead of excepting your faults as perfection, just get a medical procedure to change yourself and make yourself feel better! What kind of message is that?! Well I am here to tell you something girls:
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL THE WAY YOU ARE! YOU DON'T NEED TO CHANGE! ALL THOSE "IMPERFECTIONS" YOU THINK YOU HAVE, EMBRACE THEM AND LEARN TO SEE THEM AS PERFECTIONS!
We, as teachers, need to be the first to tell these girls that they are beautiful. Teach them to focus on their inner beauty and not their outer. Stop girl-on-girl hatred and most importantly show girls that imperfections can be beautiful too! And finally.....listen to some Megan Trainor to inspire you to love yourself! #mtrainknows #you'rebeautiful #closeyoureyes