what can i do about social influences?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
It’s tricky when you do lots at home to create a positive environment for your child but then see your child exposed to negative messages in other environments or by other people. As a parent you may feel you have no control over what your child is exposed to outside your home, and this is true in some cases. But where you can play an important role is by helping your child build resilience (i.e., their ability to ’bounce back’ or ignore) to messages portrayed by society and in media.
We recognise that, although as a parent you play an important role in shaping your child’s attitudes and behaviours, you are not the only source of influence. Therefore, in addition to learning about what you can do in your home, it may also be helpful to find out what else is influencing your child’s experience of their body and appearance. Your child may be affected by teasing from others, messages from the television about the importance of looking a certain way, media images in magazines or online, lyrics in music, other family members, such as siblings or cousins, or friends who encourage negative attitudes towards weight and body image. Talking to your child about where they learnt particular behaviours or why they feel the way they do about their body may help you understand and deal with any outside influences.
We recognise that, although as a parent you play an important role in shaping your child’s attitudes and behaviours, you are not the only source of influence. Therefore, in addition to learning about what you can do in your home, it may also be helpful to find out what else is influencing your child’s experience of their body and appearance. Your child may be affected by teasing from others, messages from the television about the importance of looking a certain way, media images in magazines or online, lyrics in music, other family members, such as siblings or cousins, or friends who encourage negative attitudes towards weight and body image. Talking to your child about where they learnt particular behaviours or why they feel the way they do about their body may help you understand and deal with any outside influences.
Visit the Extended Family, Peers, and Media pages for more information on how these influence your child body image and what you can do about it.
EXTENDED FAMILY
|
PEERS
|
MEDIA
|
