Today, I had a thought about womanhood.
This thought was triggered because I was going through old school work
{we're packing to move}
and I came across some notes from one of my favorite classes at BYU,
Women's Health Issues.
This class was so influential to the point that after every lecture I would come home with a new resolve and determination to change the entire world's misconceptions on whatever the topic was that day.
I know.
Talk about unrealistic expectations.
The particular notes that I came across were associated with a reading assignment.
That reading link is
The reading was a survey given to young girls asking several questions about all areas of health.
Physical, emotional, mental, etc.
It mainly discussed the perceptions that young girls had of being healthy; and their view of themselves.
It also discussed what influences could be attributed to these perceptions because, often times, the girl's ideas of their health were completely inaccurate.
This would obviously affect their self-esteem.
This made me scared because although I'm not a mother yet, I hope to be one day.
Until then, I have the opportunity to work with the young women at church so I am able to interact with teenage girls often.
I'm scared because of all the pressures that young girls face today.
Pressure from peers, celebrities, magazines, songs, etc.
Will I actually be able to drown out all of that?
Me vs. hundreds of other influences?
Odds are definitely not in my favor.
M. Russell Ballard, one of the leaders of our church, talked about this in the talk
He said:
Popular culture today often makes women look silly, inconsequential, mindless, and powerless.
It objectifies them and disrespects them and then suggests that they are able to leave their mark on mankind only by seduction—easily the most pervasively dangerous message the adversary sends to women about themselves.
How true is this?
The media leads girls to believe that the way they look is the only thing that matters.
And the media is doing a good job.
Luckily, there is hope!
As I continued reading through that survey, I found that
Mothers
were the most frequently cited source of information of what healthy living is.
Do you know what this means?!?!?!
Teenage girls listen to their Moms!!!
They also found that if the mother was dissatisfied with her weight, then the daughter was more likely to be dissatisfied with her own weight, in spite of what she actually weighed.
How incredible.
In order for me to teach my future children to be healthy, happy, and confident, I first need to be
healthy, happy, and confident.
I know it's easier said than done.
And I know I will still have those days where no matter what outfit I try on, I'll still think I look homely.
And no matter how much gel I put in my hair, I'll still think it looks frizzy.
And no matter how much make-up I put on, I'll still think that zit is taking over my whole face.
Because these are things I struggle with, I think we all do sometimes.
But I'll still try.
Everyday.
Because that will be what it takes.
Like my own Mother always said to us, "We are Women, hear us Roar!"
This video reminded me of this. I know it's old, but it's still good.
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