Body confidence taught in schools?

Stifler's - posted on 08/01/2010

I don't agree that it would promote ridicule. Fat kids often don't want to join in with activities because they are overweight so they don't make friends as easily. If they felt more confident about their bodies and development and had some information on how to change things they might be picked on less.

Annmarie - posted on 08/01/2010

I think it would promote stereotyping. Kids are Kids and they would pick on someone no matter what they learn. This would only provoke ridicule, not build confidence. I agree with Laci, you cannot teach confidence, but you can make a child uncomfortable by making the( elephant in the room stand out. No offense intended) Teens are already sensitive and It is a parents job to build self esteem and the schools job to teach academics. By now, all teens know that the guidance counselor is there for personal reasons if they cannot talk to parent.

LaCi - posted on 08/01/2010

I don't think you can teach confidence. Everyone hears there are plenty of beautiful body types and you don't have to fit into one certain category. That's all that would happen in school. "we're all beautiful just the way we are" blah blah blah. Kids would fall asleep, fat girls would still be ridiculed, and nothing would be accomplished.

You can't teach someone to like their body. Especially in child and teen years when, not sure about boys, but at least 70% of girls hate something about their body. Just my opinion.

Jessica - posted on 08/01/2010

I think it's a fantastic idea! Especailly when I had my 11 yrd old neice come to me upset because her teacher told her she was fat according to the BMI...which is highly inaccurate. She is a tall skinny thing with alittle baby pudge, I could have slapped her teacher. She is now compeletly self conscience no matter what anyone tells her, to me, this is unacceptable.

Stifler's - posted on 08/01/2010

It's a great idea. They also need to teach about fitness, nutrition and being healthy... as well as accepting yourself and being confident.

Mylene - posted on 07/22/2010

I think it's a good idea.

Lindsay - posted on 07/22/2010

Sounds like an excellent program for sure. Yes, there will still be the kids that strive for the media appearances but even if it helps a few kids, I would say it's totally worth it. And I think Cathy said it well. It's a great domino effect of having confidence in your body, respecting your body, self respect. All of those things lead to better choices. Because when those things are in place, the decisions one makes are for their own happiness instead of trying to "fit in" or please someone else to help build their self- esteem.

Shelley - posted on 07/22/2010

That would be great i think it would be really effective I think i'd like to go. I don't think i've ever felt comfortable with my body.

Toni - posted on 07/22/2010

What a fantastic idea - although in my experience regardless of how many times girls are told how great they are and that they are normal they strive for the non normal appearance that is presented to them in celebrity mags (air brushing galore).

Although saying that I do think they should be teaching it - we had PSHE (Physical, Social, Health Education) which would be the best lesson to teach this in. Maybe they could have a lesson where they have to get photos of themselves and touch them up (like a magazine airbrushed photo) to demonstrate that photos are not neccesarliy real and can be made to look different.

Cathy - posted on 07/22/2010

To me it goes hand in hand with sex education under the label social education. Body confidence... respecting your body... self respect = less girls sleeping with guys because they think it's their only to chance to keep the relationship due to lack of self esteem.