I
conduct weekly 30-minute groups with high school and middle school students.
The groups are divided by grade and by gender. I decided to do a session on
beauty and self-perception with my female groups since I noticed a lot of
discussion about body images. I did two workshops. One focused on self-image
and other that focused on standards beauty
Self Image
Check In: Using only facial
expression and body language, show how you feel now?
Topic Introduction: Beauty through my eyes
Activity
- Using magazines identify and
people with body features that you think are ideal.
- As a group, discuss the images and
why we think these features are attractive.
- Watch Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litXW91UauE
- The clip is a Dove commercial in which a sketch artist draws ask women to describe a stranger that they met in a previous room and then describe themselves. He draws images of these women blindly based on these descriptions. Later own, the women are able to to compare the portrait of themselves based on their description and based off of a description that a stranger provided about them. Often, the women describe themselves as having less attractive features then how others described them.
- What is your reaction to the clip?
What factors do you think influence how we view our bodies and view
others?
Debrief
Checkout
Journal: How do you feel about your
body? What factor do you think influences your body image?
Standards
of Beauty
*This
workshop is culturally specific to challenges experience by African American
females. The director of the short film presented was a 16 African American
high student.
Activity
Check In: Using only facial
expression and body language, show how you feel now?
Topic Introduction: Beauty through my eyes
Activity
- Watch short film “ A Girl Like Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyI77Yh1Gg
- Discussion
- What is colorism?
Have you experienced this before?
- What are some
stereotypes of about African Americans/ African American females?
- How do these stereotypes
influence self-image?
Debrief
Checkout
Journal: Make a collage with images
that symbolize things that you like about your body.
Nkemka,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this resource. Through my experience working with teens and adolescents, I have noticed that insecurities in ones self-image are very common. The media has a very specific definition of beauty and sets the tone for a one-size-fits-all beauty chart. As social workers, it is very important that we instill confidence and acceptance in the lives of children and youth that are struggling with their body-image. I look forward to using the links you provided in my future sessions!
Hi Nkemka,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post on your resource. To me, this is such an important topic. I have seen the Dove commercial video before, and each time it always amazes me. However, I never have considered using it in a clinical way before this post, and I think it is a great idea! It helps to add those reflective questions in. Personally, I wish I would have seen this when I was an adolescent. I think it would have given me a lot more perspective. I'm curious if using this clip in an Eating Disorders Clinic would be beneficial or not. Great post, and thank you!