Why body image is a “we” issue and not just a “me” issue
Body image as a “me” issue
We know that body image is how we think and feel about our bodies, and in turn, how we treat them. But when it comes to thinking about body image, we don’t want to stop there, with the understanding that body image, as a psychological construct, is only related to the individual.
If we take this narrow perspective, issues of negative (or positive) body image appear to be located simply within the individual themselves. To ‘fix’ poor body image, the responsibility is on the individual to take action, such as disengaging with media messages which promote a certain body ideal, or engaging in self-care activities which help them connect with their body and appreciate it.
What makes our approach to body image different?
We’re not saying these aren’t valuable approaches to try and tackle some of the ways negative body image can show up – we promote these individual behaviours as well! But we understand that body image does not exist in a vacuum. Body image is also a sociological construct – where meaning is created and adopted by people in a society. This means that….
Body image is a “we issue”
Gender and cultural studies suggest body image is a social process, located not in the individual, but as a dynamic between individuals, and their social and cultural context[1]. This means that when we comprehend body image, we need to consider the conversations in society (around bodies and identity, but also so much more, like health and morality) and social interactions individuals have that might influence body image.
We know that our body image is impacted by so much around us, from comments from family and friends on bodies and appearance, to messages in the media around beauty ideals, to weight-centric healthcare. How we look can impact how others treat us (which can impact our body image). But we also hold beliefs about bodies which impact how we treat other bodies, especially those that don’t look or function like our own.
One study with secondary school students found that young adults are not only receivers of the body pressures they encounter from the media, family, peers and other role models, but they contribute to body-ideals through their own actions towards others, particularly on social media[2]. Society and the discourse around bodies has a huge role to play in how we think and feel about our bodies, and how we treat others.
SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS
We need systemic solutions that focus on both building individual resilience AS WELL AS removing some of the environmental and societal factors which disrupt body esteem.
That is why we take a whole-systems approach to building positive body image, fostering environments that promote positive body image and seek to tackle barriers to doing so. Environments and systems are the focal point for change rather than placing sole responsibility on the individual. This feels crucial when considering environments children inhabit – is it their responsibility to fight negative body image through their individual action, or is it society’s responsibility to foster environments for children that work towards positive body image?
Collective approaches which challenge the wider influences that negatively impact body image can be and will be more effective than individual action. Let’s shift the focus from ‘me’ to ‘we’.
We strive to promote body affirming environments in schools through a whole-systems approach to culture change. Check out our resources for schools and teachers, from staff CPD training to student sessions and teacher resources. We also work with health services and public health teams who support schools as well. Find out more about that strand of our work on this page.
References:
[1] Riley, S (2014) A gender and cultural studies perspective on body image: evidence, understanding and policy report. Aberystwyth University.
[2] Saele, OO et al. (2021) The ideal body: a social construct? Reflections on body pressure and body ideal among students in upper secondary school. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, October (3) 727502.