S3 Ep 41: How To Talk (And Not Talk) About Body Image
Oct 14, 2023
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Vanessa Kroll Bennett and Dr. Cara Natterson discuss the challenges of talking about body image with kids, emphasizing the need for accurate information and support. They explore redirecting conversations away from body-focused comments and promoting positive body image. The dynamic between parents and children in discussing body image is explored, as well as the effects of hormones during puberty. Strategies for navigating social media and fostering positive body image are also discussed.
Parents should be prepared for the physical and emotional changes of puberty and provide relatable information to support their children.
Parents should help their children develop a healthy body image by avoiding negative comments and promoting self-esteem, healthy eating habits, and body acceptance.
Deep dives
Understanding the Challenges of Puberty
Puberty now starts at an earlier age, with girls starting between 8 and 9 years old and boys starting between 9 and 10 years old. It can last up to a decade, and it brings significant physical and emotional changes. Parents may struggle to cope with the rapid changes and be unsure how to navigate conversations about growing and changing bodies. It's crucial for adults to be prepared for these changes and provide relatable information to support their children.
Navigating Body Image Issues in Puberty
Puberty can bring body image challenges for both boys and girls. Girls may face pressure to conform to thin ideals, while boys may feel compelled to achieve a muscular physique. These ideals are often fueled by social media, influencers, and cultural perceptions. Parents should be aware of the impact of societal standards and help their children develop a healthy body image. It's important to avoid making negative comments about weight gain or appearance and instead focus on promoting self-esteem, healthy eating habits, and body acceptance.
Addressing Body Comments from Relatives
Relatives, often well-meaning, may make comments about a child's changing body during puberty. These comments can have a lasting impact and lead to body image issues. Parents should intervene and set boundaries by calmly explaining that discussing bodies is not appropriate. It's essential to redirect conversations and emphasize other aspects of the child's life, such as their interests, achievements, or talents. By actively protecting their children from body comments, parents can create a supportive environment.
The Role of Hormones and Physical Changes in Puberty
Puberty involves hormonal changes that trigger physical transformations. Estrogen and progesterone drive female puberty, resulting in breast growth, hip widening, and changes in skin and voice. Testosterone drives male puberty, leading to muscle growth, voice deepening, and changes in genitalia and testicles. It's important for parents to understand these changes and reassure their children that it's a natural part of the maturation process. Both genders may experience growth spurts, weight gain, and mood fluctuations.
In this week's episode, we delve into some conversations that can be awkward if we're not prepared, including what to do when friends or relatives comment on our kids' changing bodies. We explore how commenting on our kids' bodies can affect their self-image, even when we don't intend to do so. Our guests Vanessa Kroll Bennett and Dr. Cara Natterson, hosts of The Puberty Podcast, bring their expertise and insights to the forefront, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges of navigating evolving bodies. They are co-authors of the terrific new book This Is So Awkward! Modern Puberty Explained, available here. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723035/this-is-so-awkward-by-cara-natterson-md-and-vanessa-kroll-bennett/
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