Let’s talk appearance ideals and expectations
Audience: Years 9 – 10 (14 – 16 year olds)
Session Length: 1hr
Format: Virtual and Face-to-Face
Group Size: 200 maximum
This presentation focuses on factors that place pressure on young people to look and be a certain way. Incorporating positive mindset concepts it aims to help young people understand how internalising these ideals and pressures impacts body image. The session also unpacks appearance based talk, body comparisons and appearance teasing/bullying. Young people are empowered to challenge what they see and advocate for change in an effort to build a more positive body image. The topic is brought to life through real-life experiences shared by our trained facilitators.
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Key themes
In this session young people will explore:
- The role of positive and negative self-talk on feelings about our self and our body.
- How to reduce and shut down appearance based talk and ways to change the conversation.
- Where appearance ideals come from and the costs of pursuing them
- Strategies to derail and combat unhelpful body comparisons
- How to manage online appearance based bullying and teasing
- Practical ideas for boosting body confidence
- The importance of reaching out for help for ourselves or others
Risk factors addresses
- Low self-esteem
- Body dissatisfaction
- Internalisation of appearance ideals
- Appearance teasing and bullying
Protective factors supported
- Positive self-esteem
- Emotional well-being
- Problem solving and coping skills
Curriculum links
HPE Personal, Social & Community Health – Being healthy, safe and active
Evaluate factors that shape identities & critically analyse how individuals impact the identities of others (ACPPS089)
General Capabilities – CCT, PSC, EU
