Guiding Teens

In another class I have just finished reading The Body Project. This book connected with our discussion of parenting adolescents, because it focused on the way that body issues have become central to teenage girls over history. While the society we live in might seem more free that the restricting society of the Victorian Age where women were required to wear corsets, this book argues that there are less protections for young girls. It pointed out that instead of focusing on becoming better people through acts and beliefs, girls now are more focused body image and the idea that looking better will make them "better." I think that this means that adolescents is a critical time for parents to stay involved in their child's life, even while their child is striving for independence.

We've talked before in class about how parents who voice being unhappy with their looks will have children that also are unhappy and try dieting. So even before adolescence parents should try working towards a positive environment. Still, it is important for this not to end when their child starts gaining more and more independence. This is where conversation comes into play. If the parent and their teen are able to really talk about issues, and not just in a "here is the one talk I'm giving you" way, I think that the teens will have a greater ability to reach out towards their parental resource when they need to. The Body Project's author, Joan Jacobs Brumberg will be speaking at the Union on Monday, and it will be interesting to hear her updated opinion about the pressures put on the teenager of today.