BODY TALK AND BEAUTY
STANDARDS
When we engage in body talk, we
make bodies a determinant of self-
worth. We tell ourselves, and the
world around us, that our value lies
in the way we look, not in what we
do or how we behave.
The more we speak about
bodies, the more we reinforce
their importance, and start to
frame ourselves as little more than
ornaments. Repeated over time, this
leads to self-objectification, causing
us to dissociate from the internal
connection we have with our bodies.
Those who self-objectify feel less
in tune with how they feel, both
physiologically and psychologically,
posing a huge risk of depression and
disordered eating.
Beauty is arbitrary. The standards we
aspire to are designed by industries
to sell fixes for the insecurities they
create. Objectively, there is no such
thing as a ‘good’ body, no such thing
as a ‘flaw’ or ‘imperfection’. Yet, with
girls as young as six stating a desire
to be thinner, it’s clear that messages
of shame are being received loud and
clear very early in life.
Language is contagious, and the
way we talk about bodies transfers
negative beliefs. When looking at the
relationship between mothers and
daughters, and how they behave, for
instance, studies found a positive
correlation between parental body
talk and teenage dieting. In the same
way we learn a language through
listening to others, we also learn
the beliefs and behaviours that
accompany what we say. And so, for
as long as body talk remains at the
core of cultural conversations, poor
body image and low self-esteem
will remain a problem for future
generations.
The good news
is that we have
the power to
change. We can
watch our words
and start a kinder
conversation with
ourselves and
others around us