Teenagers and the beauty industry
As I was skimming through a magazine the other day, my eye caught the results of a study done, which clearly stated that 77% of teenagers (ages 12-14) consider themselves as “fat” and “ugly”, and get depressed every time they see pictures of beautiful models on TV and in fashion magazines. It’s a shocking percentage, don’t you think?
What’s more, half of the girls in early adolescence described themselves as “ugly” or even “disgusting”. The research was made by a well-known cosmetics company that wanted to show the effects of pressure by the beauty industry on teens.
At my job, I have to do with teenagers. So, I decided to do some research of my own. I talked with teen girls (between 12 and 15 years old) and most of them confessed that they wear make up at school. In fact, 50% knew how to wear make up since the age of ten, while 90% had been familiar with cosmetics since they were 8. In addition, the majority faithfully follows fashion trends, and they don’t neglect to read and implement beauty tips they find in fashion magazines or beauty blogs. Girls at that age spend at least 20 minutes every morning to do their hair, and often visit the ladies’ room to fix details of their appearance.
One could ask, what’s wrong with that? These girls just do that because they want to look beautiful. That’s also what they claim. When I asked a girl: “Why do you bother so much about your appearance? Is it about the boys?” “No”, she said. “I just try to look good”. There is nothing wrong about trying to be beautiful. However, the amazing thing is that of those girls, 77% not only don’t feel beautiful, but feel “ugly”.
On the other hand, who am I to judge? Not many years have passed since my adolescence; I can still remember those gatherings with my girlfriends on Saturday afternoons. We used to spend 3 hours to get ready before spending 2 hours at the movies. For what? I didn’t care back then. For me it was just a game I stopped at about 16. I never took it too seriously. And I disagree when a fun game becomes psychological pressure. Because for many teenagers “beauty” has long stopped being a fun game; it is a struggle they can never win. Disappointment is not the only effect. Add low self-esteem and psychological pressure that leads to depression and other serious health problems like anorexia.
Can we blame TV?
Girls, by the age of 12, will have watched approximately 80.000 TV commercials that could harm her self esteem. Sure, commercials are a factor, but throwing TVs out of our houses is definitely not a solution.
How can teens be protected?
The role of parents and teachers is important. Encourage your children to work on their talents and skills from a small age. There are many things to do besides watching TV or reading beauty magazines that will keep them interested. Let your kids get involved in music or sports. Encourage them to go dancing or take drawing classes. Keep their minds busy with arts or technology.
If it happens to be teens that read this article, you must know that beauty is not about external appearance. It is good to take care of your self and look nice wherever you go, but try to stay away from all this “beauty fever”. Quotes like “the greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart” and “beauty is skin deep” may seem passe (though so true), but do depression and anorexia seem more modern? Let me just tell you this: according to Asdfing’s 3-day-poll results, 57% vote that the most important characteristic of a perfect mate is intelligence. Only 14% said it is beauty. So, work on your intelligence. Evolve your talents and enrich your knowledge. Just think about it.
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why do we do this to our selfs
me and my friends need tips email me on http://www.xxlaurenxx95@me.com
please
Hi. I just wanted to let you know there is also a condition called BDD (Body Dismorphic Disorder) which is where people tend to focus on certain features which they find unattractive and becoe obsessed by it. I have this condition, i never used to feel bad about myself and was a bubbly teenager right up until 17 years old. If a parent may be reading this, please make sure yout child is surrounded by positive people and not those who place image and appearance as a priority – those who do can destroy one’s confidence and end up with issues such as myself.
Hope this helps if you have come across a similar case.
xx
LATOYA I READ YOUR REPLY AND I HOPE THAT YOU REALIZE THAT BEAUTY IS FROM WITHIN. YOU CAN NEVER BE THE PEOPLE THAT WE ALL CONSIDER AS BEAUTIFUL UNTIL YOU SEE YOURSELF AS BEAUTIFUL FIRST. THERE IS NO PHYSICAL TRAIT THAT IS AUTOMATICALLY TIED TO BEAUTY, YOU GIVE BEAUTY YOU ARE BEAUTY.
so true, so right! I totally agree qith this article and I must stay I’m impresses about these numbers (number of commercials seen by the age of 12). And after that, you still wonder why you’re so depressed about yourself all the time even if you KNOW there’s nothing wrong about yourself.
what do u do as a job and what are your cradentals
I’m more ugly than a hippo and thats saying somthing. Today I felt like throwing up because I was sooooooooo upset on how ugly I look!
LAURA, I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM, BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE…AND WHEN THAT PERSON SEE’S YOU, THEY WILL FALL HEAD OVER HEELS FOR YOU! I KNOW YOU ARE GORGEOUS! DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE WORTH THE WAIT? FRIENDS AND YOUR ONE TRUE LOVE AWAIT YOUR ARRIVAL INTO THEIR LIFE. LOVE YOURSELF UNTIL THAT TIME ARRIVES. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SPIRIT BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T LOVE YOURSELF WHO ELSE WILL LAURA?
yeh i think thats love if u love a peson u can do anything:}}}
What article? What magazine? What study? By whom? Where are your references, and what are your credentials… no one else can use your information or pass it on without these things, because as it stands this is plagiarism.
I’m not saying I disagree with this post, I’ve seen the actual statistics in reports and articles elsewhere; and the purpose behind it is admirable. This just isn’t effective without source citations.
HEy i no wat its like im only 13 and have had a few bad moments in my life cause of my looks im only 92 pounds, tallish,brown eyes and hair, and a 34 a cup!?! but really if somenone has a probably i dont kare kause u no that this will always b me and i wanna b me
beauty is only skin deep,
hate goes all the way 2 the bone!?!
dont wanna b crashed no more
love urself! <3
i feel the same way i feel fat now matter what people say .
EMMY YOU DON’T FEEL FAT. YOU JUST FEEL MISUNDERSTOOD. YOU LOVE FOOD AND SO DO I! THAT’S JUST HOW YOU ESCAPE AND THAT’S OKAY FOR NOW BUT YOU CONTROL YOUR INTAKE TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF YOU ONLY GET ONE LIFE… AND IT’S YOURS TO ENJOY! JUST REMEMBER, WHO YOU ARE ABUSING IN THE LONG RUN, EMMY.
Author:
I have just written a diverse and expressive book about beauty and where it reall comes from…within
Linda
i will tell u am a teenager and i stay 1 h to do my hair every morning and i do this becouse i think if one boy will see me bad looking he will tell his friends that am ugly and they will never talk to me again ,but ever one tell me i have a beautiful body and a perfect face but even of this i don’t go out of the home with out putting maskara and lipglosse
soooooooooooo heeeellllpppp
please….
I am 29 yrs old from Bronx, NY. When I was 8, I had short hair, a gap in my smile and goggles as glasses. I didn’t care until the other kids made fun of my unruly hair. They were mean. This went on until 9th grade when all of a sudden I started to blossom. My gap filled in, my hair grew beyond my shoulders and I had a chest! The same people who made fun of me were the same people who wanted to date me! But It wasn’t until age 25 that I adopted a “I don’t care about what you think” attitude. It was then I was free. WHO CARES WHAT OTHERS THINK! YOU’RE NOT PAYING MY RENT, FOOD, CLOTHES ETC. Don’t you know that graphic artists use programs like Photoshop to erase pimples, braces, stretch marks, dark eye circles from these photos? Girls, please adopt the “WHO CARES” attitude and watch your demons leave. Leave those magazines alone! So you don’t have the “perfect” smile, or hair or face. WHO CARES! I like who I am and if you don’t…oh well! Ahhhh. Refreshing right? Practice it for peace. It worked for me!