Body image
I reckon I have a pretty positive body image. Sure, my body's not perfect, but I don't own a pair of bathroom scales and I've never seriously considered having anything nipped or tucked. My positive outlook is mainly down to the fact that my mother never went on and on about her weight or scrutinized the way she or I looked. It was a revelation when I started hearing my friends reveal their weight and body image insecurities and talking about how much weight they wanted to lose, or the next fad diet they were about to try. And even worse, the type of plastic surgery they'd have if they could afford it. I still have no idea how much I weigh. And I think that's probably a good thing.
We don't realise it, but the beauty industry influences us from a very young age. The images we see and the on the telly and in magazines somehow lodge themselves into our subconscious and we all want to be like that...and then chastise ourselves for not being like that.
Dove have just a new campaign to promote positive body image. It's aimed at mothers with young daughters and encourages them to address self esteem and body image issues by educating their children before the beauty and fashion brands take their influence. It's very powerful and a really positive step coming from a leading beauty brand. Take a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaH4y6ZjSfE