September 4, 2017 Becca_K
I love what Cameron Russell has to say in this TED Talk. Appearance has become the topic of a lot of conversations and everyone seems to be focused onlooks starting at younger and younger ages. She gave the statistic that 53% of thirteen year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies. Thirteen year-olds? These students are 8th graders! Where are they hearing body negative language? Do they hear these things from home, school, friends, adults, media? I believe that everyone should love themselves and that they deserve support to help them truly embrace their unique selves! Cameron Russell shares that modeling is often seen as a glamorous job and it really isn’t. She said that having to focus on how you look all the time is one of the worst things that you can do when it comes to confidence. Models have to appear beautiful all the time and that makes them only focus on appearance. They are judged on appearance rather than personality. We should never judge anyone based on appearance. We need to take the time to get to know everyone!
When I was at work the other day with third and fourth graders, one of the girls said that no one liked her because she was fat. To put this in perspective, this was the first day at recess that I had not seen this girl with plenty of people so she is obviously well liked! I asked her why she said that and she replied that people tell her that all the time that she is fat. How horrible is it that a third grader is being told that she is fat? Further, why is that such an insult? She didn’t want to talk so I didn’t ask her specifics. My question is why at her young age is that one of her main focuses? She has friends, she does well in school, and overall, she seems happy. Who told this little girl that she is fat? I could not believe it.
There are a lot of people who are trying to share the message of body positive thoughts. One of the more famous people is Whitney Thore who is on “My Big Fat Fabulous Life”. She tries really hard to spread the No Body Shame Campaignwhich spreads awareness that everyone is beautiful and should be loved. What Cameron Russell had to say in this TED Talk reemphasized what I already knew about negative body thought. I have struggled with it and I have seen many people struggle with it. We all need to build each other up and help them feel beautiful inside and out instead of tearing each other down.
Published by Becca_K
I am completing my last year at Chadron State College. I am majoring in Elementary education and hope to teach lower elementary. I am from a very small town in Colorado which I hope to return to when I start teaching. This blog will be about education and topics that relate to it!View all posts by Becca_K
Great read! I totally agree that this is becoming an issue with everyone at a younger age. I have a younger sister and I stress to her all the time that she is perfect in her own body. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. It’s her body, her life and there is a reason she is that way. I can’t tell her enough that she is beautiful. It is hard for some people to accept that though. Hopefully, your video you shared will help those struggling. I know I am going to share it with my friends and family. So thank you! 🙂
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I am so glad that you are a person in your sisters life to say that! I think that social media has made a huge increase in the number of people focused on their body image rather than what really matters, their personality! I hope that all of us, as future teachers, do our best to make sure that our students know that!
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Social media has definitely made a huge impact on the way people view themselves.
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This is a very interesting read. You have some really good points. Thank for the post.
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Thank you!
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Wow! I loved reading your blog! I think you touched on some important issues. My little sister is in the eighth grade and she has been called fat before. Even though she weighs like less than 100lbs she still gets hurt and thinks she doesn’t need to eat. This makes me very upset because this kind of thing ruins peoples lives. I love the TED Talk you chose because this is an ongoing issue and people need to know that they are beautiful! Great post!
Antonya
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Thank you! I have read that eating disorders have become a bigger issues that ever before and I think that stories like the one you just said are responsible for that! Thanks for sharing!
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It is really sad how looks have become a top seller for people. How judgmental?! This isn’t right. And what makes it even worse is that the generation that is judging is getting younger and younger, this is scary. I feel like this is a major form of bullying and it needs to get under control.
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I agree! Unfortunately, it can be very hard to monitor and control! It is so sad that it is such a problem though!
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You and I actually covered the same TED talk! I found this so moving and I really feel like the message is important to pass on. I’m glad I am not alone on this! Good job!
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Thank you! I found this very important as well!
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