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MNHQ

Children, the media, and Body Image - tell us what you think?

30 replies

KateMumsnet · 30/09/2011 12:12

Hello all

Today, as part of the Government's campaign on Body Confidence, Lynne Featherstone (Equalities Minister) is launching a lesson on Body Image for 10-11 year olds.

The lesson has been developed by Media Smart, the ad industry's non-profit media literacy programme, and the overarching aim is to help children think more critically about the images they see in the media. They'll learn about the techniques used in post-production, and discuss how these images make them feel about themselves - you can have a peek at the lesson here.

There will also be parent support materials to accompany the Body Image lesson, and Lynne Featherstone and Media Smart have asked if we could contribute our thoughts.

So, do you think that Body Image is an important issue? Do you ever worry that your DCs might be aspiring to impossibly idealised body types - and if so, do you discuss this with them? Any top tips to help other parents to talk about the issue with their own DCs?

If you'd like more info, the Government's Body Confidence campaign is here, and Media Smart's site is here.

Thanks,

MNHQ

OP posts:
Itsjustafleshwound · 30/09/2011 17:59

Also poor body image is a very vague term .... it is a bit like telling a depressive to 'cheer up' or morbidly obese person not to have a 2nd helping of dessert ..

LeninGrad · 30/09/2011 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Itsjustafleshwound · 30/09/2011 17:50

Dress them appropriately in age-appropriate clothing
Stop buying the red top magazines and other 'Hello', 'OK'-type magazines
Give them a healthy diet and an outdoors hobby
Be a mean mum and stick to it - you are the adult

You show by example and no amount of 'look at this' 'isn't this terrible' is going to change behaviour - it is monkey see, monkey do ..

PrettyCandles · 30/09/2011 17:38

This morning my 8yo dd peered at herself in the mirror and announced in surprise "Wow, my eyelashes are really long and visible, even though I'm not wearing any mascara!"

Sofabitch · 30/09/2011 16:37

.