When I was a little girl, I struggled deeply with self esteem issues. It wasn’t until about the age of 25 or so that I finally had, had enough of other people determining how I felt about myself that I finally found that strong girl inside of me. I have a pre-teen girl myself now and it is extremely important to me to instil some good self esteem in her. Unfortunately I see her struggle sometimes and it reminds me of that girl I was once.
I am happy to find out that Dove, the brand you know for thier “real bodies” in thier ads and the great products, is teaming up to make self-esteem a target of thier campaign.
Dove® research shows that it is still important for us to address girls’ anxiety about looks, as there is a universal increase in beauty pressure and a decrease in girls’ confidence as they grow older. Key findings from our latest research include:
• Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful (up from 2% in 2004)
• Only 11% of girls globally are comfortable using the word beautiful to describe themselves
• 72% of girls feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful
• 80% of women agree that every woman has something about her that is beautiful but do not see their own beauty
• More than half (54%) of women globally agree that when it comes to how they look, they are their own worst beauty critic
SOURCE: Dove Research: The Real Truth About Beauty: Revisited
Any time is a good time to start a conversation with a girl in your life about beauty, confidence and self-esteem. Not sure where to start? Download the Let’s Talk toolkit to get some great advice.
Created with Jess Weiner, Dove Global Self-Esteem Ambassador, this is a great resource for all women on starting a conversation in a simple way. Ask, Share, Listen and Act — you’ll find unintimidating ways to do make these a natural part of your talk about Self-Esteem.
Anxiety about beauty begins at an early age, and can even keep girls from doing what they love. You can change that with a conversation. Reach out to the girl in your life and talk to her about beauty, confidence and self-esteem.
You can find the expert tips and real-world advice to get started on the Self-Esteem Wall. Then, once you’ve had “the talk,” share your experience to help inspire other moms and mentors.
You can share a sentence, small story, or upload your favorite photo of you and the young girl in your life from your desktop, Facebook or instagram.
Help Dove reach their goal of boosting confidence in 15 million girls by 2015.
How do you help your your girls (if you have any) with creating a positive self image? Will you be visiting the Self esteem Wall or checking out the Toolkit?
Thanks to Dove for sponsoring today’s discussion!
Such an important thing. It takes a long time for a lot of women to come out of that insecure phase. Everything we can do to help it along at a younger age can help in many ways!
Farrah recently posted..Win a stash of cloth diapers! Goes live Nov. 1st!
Great post about self esteem! You seem like such a great momma!
Sharon Russ recently posted..Product Review: Palmolive Fresh Infusions
Aww thank you Sharon! That means a lot!
Love this post! I used to teach high school and I wouldn’t allow any negative talk in our classroom, including putting down appearance, gossip, etc.
Susan Bewley recently posted..Dyson DC24 Upright Vacuum Cleaner Review
I think this is a very important issue. If more girls had more confidence in themselves and their beauty, a lot of things would be different. There wouldn’t be eating disorders, many suicides would be prevented, and lots more.
I really struggled with this, and even now I still struggle with it; because I wasn’t given the support or encouragement I needed to learn to love myself just as I am, but rather to merit my worth based on what others think. That is NOT how I want my children to grow up; so I am working hard trying to help them understand how amazing they are, so they can be confident and have self esteem when they reach that sensitive age of pre-teen when things start to change.
Amber Edwards recently posted..Nutrisystem week 14, The importance of tracking measurements
Excellent post and so true! I wish I had been taught better, it would have saved a lot of insecurity and heartache! But I have learned how important it is to teach our children this!
Alaina Bullock recently posted..For Anyone Who Ever Thought They Weren’t Good Enough: A Nighttime Trip To Planet Nuff
Self esteem is great but teaching them self confidence is a must. They don’t have to be the best at anything or everything but have enough love for themselves to be able to handle life.
Kat Hoar recently posted..Country Bob’s Review and Shredded Beef Recipe
I love Dove’s campaign! I really hope to raise a daughter who feels beautiful despite societal norms.
Motherhood on the Rocks recently posted..BLOGGERS WANTED: IPAD MINI GIVEAWAY EVENT
Great post! I think one of the most important things you mentioned is that you shouldn’t let others dictate your feelings. My 4 year old wears glasses, and it took me a little time to teach her to like how she looked in them. It surprised me how, even at her age, she could have image issues. Luckily she says she likes the way she looks in them now, but she still doesn’t like to wear them, lol. This is something we’ve been working on with her.
Mary recently posted..National Novel Writing Month
This is AWESOME! Thanks so much for letting me know about it 🙂
jenny at dapperhouse recently posted..Winter’s Coming Giveaway HOP (Nov 1-15) #WintersComing
This looks like a wonderful way to help me talk to my daughter about self esteem. She just starting to get to the age where her feelings get hurt, and others being rude about her opinions touch her deeply.
Amanda recently posted..FREE Carseat Canopy
I am so glad they are doing this program. I really feel it is important I know I could have used this when I was a young girl.
Melinda Dunne recently posted..I See Me Personalized Book Review and Giveaway
Great post and very important topic. Thanks for sharing
mary recently posted..Christmas In Apple Ridge
Dove is such a great brand that care about women and self esteem.
aprilak recently posted..New Coupons to Print
I absolutely love this campaign because I had self esteem issues, who am I kidding, I STILL have self esteem issues. This is a wonderful ad campaign. Kudos to Dove!
I think it is so important to let girls know they are not alone in their struggles!
Mariah recently posted..Halloween Party Food Ideas with Tyson any’tizers #MealsTogether
Love this post. Teaching the importance of self esteem is so important. Especially for girls!
Ashley S recently posted..Comment on Christmas Crafts for Kids: Candy Cane Trains by Amanda Seibert
I have 4 daughters and constantly remind them that they are “beautifully and wonderfully made.”
Staci recently posted..Toys that Inspire Individuality from B.toys
Good self-esteem is extremely important. I’m trying to teach my 10 year old daughter this every day 🙂 Thanks for sharing
Melody recently posted..30 Unique Christmas Cookie Recipes For Your Christmas Cookie Swap!
My daughter is only three but I want her to have the self-confidence when it comes to her body and appearance that I never had. I constantly tell her she’s beautiful both inside and out.
Sarah BB @ East9thStreet recently posted..30 Days of Being Thankful: Day 4 - Sunday Mornings
Thank you for sharing. My girls are great with self-esteem, my son on the other hand has his own struggles. While I think it is important for girls, it is also equally important not to leave the boys out too. I would love to see the expand this program to them.
Victoria @ Denschool recently posted..Election Day – November 6
I agree that boys need a positive self image as well. I would love to see Dove expand this to a conversation maybe daddies can have with their sons! Thanks for commenting!
I think the best way to help your daughter have a healthy self-image is to be the example! Dont ever say you look bad in front of her, or put yourself down in front of her. She will learn thats ok to do and do it to herself!
I have been guilty of this, because I too have struggled with my own self image and insecurities. I was also made fun of as a kid. Its hard. But Im determined not to ever let my daughter feel like she is not beautiful or good enough… or what not.
I also have boys, that I am trying to raise with a healthy and positive self image too. Its my desire to also raise them to respect women and know that beauty is so much more than looks!! 🙂
Maria-Isabel Gridley recently posted..Pretty Things #10
I really love this campaign!
Hanan recently posted..Delicious Paleo Stuffing
Wonderfully written! Thank you for posting!
Great picture of you both!