Beauty ideals

Looking like the stars on Instagram, the models from Germanys Next Topmodel or the contestants on The Bachelor? Unfortunately, that's often what girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 16 want. Especially during (pre-) puberty, young people are quickly influenced by TV shows and influencers on social media who show one-sided body images. But what if your own body isn't nearly as perfect? If the skin looks blemished, the figure is not slim or the shoulders are not wide enough? Read how you can help your children to look critically at beauty ideals in the media and to accept their body just as it is.

How about your beauty ideals? We are all shaped by the beauty standards of our society. Hardly anyone can completely escape this. This makes it all the more important to deal critically with the appearances in advertising and on social media. Take a look behind the scenes with your child and explain how these images are created. In this way, young people learn to look more critically at ideals of beauty. Above all, tell your child that you think he or she is beautiful just as he or she is and that you love him or her. Without any beauty filters. In this way, you can consciously give your child that external features are not everything.

• Listen to your child, show interest and understanding. So you create a good basis for conversation.
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• Do not talk the idols of your child sweepingly bad. Rather, try to be non-judgmental about it.
• Strongly strengthen your child's self-esteem: "You are unique, just as you are!" Your child will benefit from this for a long time!
• Make it clear that it is the personal idiosyncrasies that make people lovable and beautiful: That can be red hair, wild eyebrows, the freckles, the humor, the hearty laugh and so much more.
• Show your child other role models. There are now also movements that are directed against the beauty craze. Examples can be found under the hashtag #bodypositivity or #bodyneutrality.
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• If nothing helps and your child threatens to slip into an eating disorder or the suffering pressure becomes too high, get professional support. This is available online or directly in one of the numerous parent counseling centers. Detailed information and contact addresses can be found in the article "Parental counseling" here on the Familienportal.NRW.
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