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The Importance of Body Image
Examples of situations where one’s
self-esteem can be shaken – teenagers are perhaps the most sensitive
group when it comes to irregularities in their physical appearance – and
no doubt the most unforgiving about imperfections in their bodies. The
media – skin care commercials and glossy page advertisements carrying
promises of “eternal youth” through unblemished skin have not helped in
diminishing young people’s anxieties about how they look. When beauty
care campaigns consistently bombard you daily, think what they do to the
vulnerable teenage psyche. The air-brushed complexions of photo models
can send any teenager to desperation.
When a teenager discovers stretch marks on her body, and finds she’s the
only one who has them within her own circles of friends, her initial
reaction is to panic. “I’m different from the rest.” “Why does my skin
look scarred and that of my friends isn’t?” “Is something strange
happening to my body?” “Will this get worse?” Will these marks make me
an ugly creature?”
One mother was overheard saying that her daughter now refuses to go out
with her friends after school or on weekends because her stretch marks
caused her considerable embarrassment and in spite of swimming being her
favorite sport, will no longer participate in swim meets. She feared her
daughter may not only need a dermatologist but also a psychologist to
repair her damaged self-esteem. Isn’t it funny how minor damage to the
physical can cause much more damage to the mind?
The predicament of a dwindling sense self-esteem not only hits
teenagers, but young career women who know that looking good – looking
perfect even – can make all the difference in one’s future career goals.
It puzzles them why these ugly skin folds are suddenly invading their
bodies when they haven’t even been pregnant. Think how once outgoing and
gregarious women can suddenly feel shy when stretch marks begin to
appear in their late 20’s or late 30’s. These marks give young skin the
illusion of aging skin. Who wants pleaded skin anyway?
Self-esteem is an essential ingredient for self-confidence, and can mean
either success or failure on the job. But while it holds much importance
in our psychological well-being and mental health, it is also the most
fragile thing that can potentially disappear in a matter of seconds.
Stretch marks not only generate feelings of inferiority among women but
also provoke a negative body image. It can be hammered into the minds of
people that stretch marks are for the most part not life threatening and
should not translate into a low self-esteem, but how many do you think
would find consolation in this wisdom? Not many, if the media is replete
with products and medical techniques that proclaim to have the
capability to erase marks.
And what about a woman’s inability at intimacy, believing that stretch
marks have turned her into an unattractive, wrinkled being? You’ve
certainly heard of a few women who compare themselves to an English
bulldog because of their stretch marks.
Sure, it may sound like a joke coming from them, but how deep-seated is
that self-mockery? Salvador Dali probably thought there was nothing
wrong with ugliness, but one does get weary looking at something as
petty as a stretch mark. Yet, to others, a stretch mark may not be that
petty, especially if it’s disturbing their social life…and peace of
mind.
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