THE CONCERN
Girls are no longer satisfied with their natural appearance. They have been led to believe that vulnerability, realness, and exposure of the self closest to the truth, make them defenceless or too defiant. They have been led to believe that natural appearance equates to laziness, carelessness, ugliness, or weakness. The insecurities that young people, especially, inevitably feel have been fed on by beauty and cosmetic industries, and have been spun into a mantra that says, “the way you are is not enough.”
“Almost a quarter of girls (15-17) would consider getting plastic or cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks.” Wanting to change how a person looks is unfortunately a growing desire among younger generations and this illustrates a real need to breakthrough the mainstream message and to bring a message of truth: of what truly defines beauty, and what “natural” should truly look and feel like. This message is not to say that external enhancements, such as makeup, are “bad”, but instead that depending upon these things in order to gain a sense of self, of beauty, of worth, of security, of confidence (and so on) is not healthy.
THE OPPORTUNITY
It has never been more necessary to re-persuade girls that the way they are naturally is good enough. By giving them a space, the resources and tools, thinking materials, and action points through which they can engage with an alternative vision of beauty, analyse their thinking patterns, self-image and stereotypes, and expose the superficialities attached to the notion of true beauty and how they intend to obtain it, a change can be made and a new “natural” created. Girls can be encouraged to see themselves beyond the opinions and expectations of others, and find their own understanding and unique sense of natural beauty.