Body Positive Club helps students Half of Mayfield students said they go on diets because “I hate the way I look or want to lose weight.” Nearly three quarters of girls said that at some point in their lives they would have felt happier if they looked different. When asked if they could change one thing about their appearance, 72% said “the shape of my body.” These responses to a school-wide survey reflect the prevalence of body image issues among many teenage girls. The survey was initiated by Mayfield’s largest club, Body Positive, which helps students develop skills to live peacefully and healthily in their own bodies. At a powerful assembly, club leaders and their advisor released the results of the survey taken by 230 of our 330 students, and spoke to the importance of redefining beauty.
“The purpose of the survey is not to show that we lack confidence or are insecure,” said co-chair Lucy Howell ’20. “It’s to show that we all share the same issues; no one is alone. We are opening a dialogue because we want to improve ourselves and accept the uniqueness of our bodies.” With more than 100 members, the popularity of the new club demonstrates that Mayfield students have the courage to address societal pressures about womens’ body image, Lucy and co-chair Haley Eaves ’20 explained. “I think it has resonated with a lot of girls because you can’t escape the pressure of social media influence,” Haley said. “Girls are raised to look pretty, perfect, neat, put together and sophisticated. And if we are not all those things, it’s easy to feel
insecure and it begins to take a toll on your mental health.” One survey question asked if social media has impacted their self esteem. The majority of respondents, 78%, said yes. Lucy explained that high school girls are conditioned to feel good about themselves when their appearance is praised by others, “versus having confidence and a feeling of self-worth.” School Counselor Cristina Perez, who has worked extensively with club members, opened the assembly with a with a quote: “Your body is an instrument, not an ornament.” The words are from Lindsay Kite, Ph.D., a leader in the growing “body positive” movement, which embraces the philosophy that all bodies are created equal.
Students promote
love and respect
for the shape and size of all bodies
Body Positive Club co-founders Lucy Howell ’20 and Haley Eaves ’20 advocate acceptance and appreciation for every body 20
POSTSCRIPTS 2019
