...and the phrase is no less applicable in high school. Teens are bombarded with images. Shows such as "Project Runway" and "America's Next Top Model" are more popular than ever...and even "I Want a Famous Face" and "Extreme Makeover." Celebrities to imitate. Commercial appeals to wear this...and look like this. The images come from every angle...
Last year nearly 11.7 million plastic surgeries were performed in the U.S. And over 205 thousand of those were teenagers. And according to research and surgeons alike...the numbers are continuing to grow. Whether plastic surgery, though, is appropriate or not is not the central question...but the underlying issues that teens face.
Psychologist Ann Kearney-Cooke writes, "Kids spend a lot of time in chat rooms and they're bombarded by the media with these unrealistic images...When you're a teenage girl, there's this whole myth of transformation that's very powerful: namely that cosmetic surgery can transform your looks and your life. It's as though the question 'Who am I?' has been replaced with 'What image do I want to project?' "
While plastic surgery is one sign of evidence that teens are striving for an "image"...a second is certainly eating disorders. The chances you know someone with an eating disorder are staggering. And like plastic surgery...the numbers continue to rise. Teen Health released the following article that parents may find helpful: http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/problems/eat_disorder.html. It's estimated that at least 1 or 2 in every 100 teens suffers from an eating disorder.
The central question of adolescence is "Who am I?" - finding one's identity is the goal of adolescence. But teens often find themselves answering, "Who does everyone want me to be?" Every teenager to some degree feels the need to conform to the images that are projected...the need to look, act and even speak to attract positive reactions from their peers. And it's not only girls who are caught in the problem: guys have similar pressures to conform...they too have an image to uphold.
Families and churches must join the cause - the cause to affirm the beauty of teenagers as God has created them...even "Dove" has joined the cause with their own "Beautiful" campaign. What can you do?
- Be aware of the pressures your teens face. Ignorance is not bliss.
- Be a source of encouragement.
- Be intentional about the positive words you say towards your teen.
- Open up dialogue about these issues...and provide a safe place for your teen to be honest about the struggles they're facing.
- Encourage your teen towards positive environments that reaffirm who they are.
- And most importantly - wash your children in the truth that they are a new creation IN Christ. We find our identities in God...pray that your teen will find their identity in him.
And if your teen is hurting or struggling with an eating disorder - please don't hesitate to seek help! You can contact our ministry at (303) 991 4999
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