Is the Media Killing Our Daughters?

Posted January 18, 2011

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Posted Tuesday, January 18, 2011 by Jackie Morgan MacDougall

Did you know that, in the United States alone, as many as ten million women and girls suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia? How about that the death rate for eating disorders is around 20 percent? Or that eighty-six percent of people with eating disorders experience illness by the time they reach 20 years old?

And every day, eating disorders grab hold of more women and children, 40% of those new cases of anorexia are found in girls 15-19 years old. Add this to the fact that childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years and I don't think you can argue that our attitudes toward food and exercise have created a monumental issue in this country.

While we, as parents, have a lot to do with that (which I will get into), I can't help but feel outrage when I see the media's role in screwing with our kids' heads. It was bad enough that Marie Claire (a magazine supposedly for women) ran a disgusting piece of trash titled, 'Should "Fatties" Get a Room?' where writer Maura Kelly justified her opinion of being "grossed out" by overweight people. Not only was her take offensive, her thought process was ignorant. "I think obesity is something that most people have a ton of control over. It's something they can change, if only they put their minds to it." And I guess by now, we should expect attention-seeking features like the NY Post's 50 Fat Celebrities. But this week, Time Magazine -- TIME MAGAZINE -- jumped on the heavy bandwagon, featuring a Golden Globes photo gallery titled, "5 Stars Who Looked Fat and 5 Who Looked Fit." Seriously, Time Magazine? But don't worry, they weren't actually calling anyone fat, just read the subtitle...."Who Looked Fat, Even Though They Aren't." So much for reputable journalism.

It's tough enough to raise girls and boys with healthy body images, what with all the pressure at school and on TV. At least Discovery Girls magazine, geared toward girls 8 and up, is on our side, featuring articles that help girls deal with body image issues and encourage conversations. In a recent survey, 45 percent of girls said they and/or their friends have already been on a diet, with 90 percent admit they worry that they don't look good enough. Time Magazine is certainly not helping!

I know I try to keep certain words out of my vocabulary and recently tried not to react when my 3-year-old told me my tummy was "squishy." But family therapist Stacy Kaiser, author of How to Be a Grownup, says it's not always what we say but our attitudes toward our own bodies that kids pick up on. "Encouraging and being an example of healthy eating and lifestyle for health, not body image purposes, goes a long way."

Teaching our kids to make good choices, which includes the occasional treat, using words like "healthy" and "strong," and promoting individuality, allowing them to express themselves through clothing, hairstyles, etc., are ways to create a positive attitude.

And while you may want to react to models in magazines and on TV, resist the urge to criticize. If we're telling our girls that people come in different shapes and sizes, it's important to be consistent across the board.

When it comes down to it, it's what we do as women that really drives home the message to our kids. A family activity, neighborhood walk or taking that dance class you've always wanted to try is not only a way to recharge and reconnect with yourself, it could be one step forward in the next generation's body image battle.

Am I overreacting or does the media go to far? Let me know in the comments!

Jackie Morgan MacDougall is a TV-executive turned parenting blogger who lives a crazy life with her husband and three small kids. Her dreams of climbing the corporate ladder have been replaced by the dream of one day having a nap. You can find more of her musings at The Silver Whining.

Related Articles on Family.com:

Help Your Daughter Love Her Body

Detecting Body Dismorphic Disorder in Your Teen

Teens: 5 Secrets Parents Should Know

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