Dove believes beauty should be a source of confidence, not anxiety. Girls are listening, we just need to start the conversation. A simple act, such as starting a conversation about beauty, can make a world of difference. Dove is committed to inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential. The Dove Movement for Self-Esteem opens up a world of opportunities for women to make a difference.
Just yesterday, I was talking to my husband about how awkward it is to be a teenager, specially a teen girl. Everything in your life gest turn upside down, your hormones change your body and mind. Media doesn’t make this stage of a teenager life any easier, ad, magazines and model show a one-sided body image that girl try to emulate. Growing up, my sister and I never had body image issues, I really don’t know how my mother showed us it was okay to be different. In my case, it was okay to be different, it was not a big deal that other did not see me as “beautiful”.
This is incredible, but according to research anxiety about looks begins at an early age and holds girls back from reaching their full potential. According to Dove global research, 72% of girls (ages 10-17) feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful, only 11% of girls (ages 10-17) are comfortable using the word beautiful to describe themselves, when girls feel bad about their looks more than 60% globally (age 15 to 17) avoid normal daily activities such as attending school, going to the doctor, or even giving their opinion.
Everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in a girl’s self-esteem, simple act, such as starting a conversation about beauty, can make a world of difference. My baby girl is not old enough to have this kind of conversation, but I do take the opportunity to talk to ALL my kids about self-esteem. Self-esteem talk, ranks high in my parent conversation list and when she is ready to understand I will be there to help her understand the “beautiful” is not an outside look but that it comes from within yourself. Did you know that more than half of girls globally say their mother is their number one female role model (66 percent U.S., 59 percent Canada)?
Dove invites women across the U.S. to participate in the Dove Self-Esteem Weekend, taking place October 5-7 nationwide
- Dove partner organizations will host events nationwide
- Walmart stores will have designated areas within the store where visitors can share a message of encouragement to girls
- The Kroeger Co. will host a self-esteem event in Cincinnati for local members of Boys & Girls Clubs
If you need more information on how to start a conversation or help motivate and inspire the girls in your life please visit Vivemejor.com to access free information and download the “Let’s Talk” Toolkit.
Disclosure: post is compensated and in collaboration with Dove and Latina Bloggers Connect, however all Opinions are 100% my own.