Dear future self:
Ten years ago, you lived in a world where it was impossible to escape the media, alongside with marketing and advertising. I do not see any possibilities that there will be any significant changes between now and back then, so I assume that by the time you are reading this letter, you will still be surrounded by marketing and advertisements. Do you still remember the fact that marketers and advertisers were and still are, I assume, constantly controlling how people felt about their body image? The media is full of lies. They just want to be able to sell their products and want you to think that your current self is not good enough. Thus, they will use any available method to trick you into buying things that you do not need, especially beauty products. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, in a survey of girls 9 and 10 years old, 40% have tried to lose weight. Girls around these ages should be eating more, instead of dieting. The media also had an effect on boys too. Over the past 30 years, the body dissatisfaction stats for boys climbed from 15% to 43%. The media, especially beauty mags often emphasize sexuality and the importance of physical attractiveness in an attempt to sell products. Because of this, advertisers set unrealistic ideals for both male and female. We can see how powerful and how successful the media has become in impacting a whole generation to think that they do not look good enough.

Since this problem has been around and will continue to exist, here are some actions you may take to help you and your child deal with this issue. Firstly and most importantly, check your own behaviour. Children look up to their parents. You need to set a good example to your children to help them deal with this issue. Make sure that you hold positive values such as eating healthy and exercising instead of dieting and skipping meals. You will want to make sure that you emphasise on health rather than on body image. If you set a good example, your children will automatically look up to you. Other than that, you can keep an eye on your kids social networks. You need to make sure that your children are exposed to healthy media, and not media that emphasises on how to make their bodies look better. You may also set limits on your children’s exposure to media, limiting them to not only on what they are exposed to but also how long they are exposed to the media. Thirdly, instead of letting your children get trapped in the media, you should put aside some time to “disconnect” them. Make them do something beneficial that is not related to the media.This includes helping out at the local shelter, learning a new sport etc. Through this, they will have less time to spend on the media, thus, this draws away their attention, making them have a less chance to concern about their body image. Your children will realize that their body image is not everything and that there are values that are much more important than just looking good. Also, since marketing and advertisement is inescapable, you need to constantly remind your children to emphasize health over looks. You need to make sure that your children place their health as their number one priority. You need to make them recognize that their bodies are perfect as they are and that they do not need to look good just for the sake of others. You have to make them recognize the attributes that makes them who they are. Lastly, you need to have regular check-ins and talks with your children. It is very important that your pay attention to your children’s life and to communicate with them. You need to be able to listen to your children’s problems in life, observe their lifestyle and get to know them better. You can also check for signs such as sudden weight loss, dramatically increased workouts, large muscle growth, and radically altered eating patterns. All of which are signs that your child is being affected by their body image. Remember that the media wants you to think that your current self is not good enough so that they can sell their products. Always know that you are unique in your own way, and not what the media says about you.

Regards,
Your past self.