Things Teachers Can Do To Help Counteract Self-Esteem Issues Arising From Societal Pressures

- Denise BueckertGRIP 2010

IntroductionTeens are

constructing their identities

Influenced by everything they see and hear

Help? = adolescent psychology + popular culture

The Expert OpinionsReviving Ophelia:

Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls – Dr. Mary Pipher

Feminism, Inc. – Emilie Zaslow

Fire with Fire – Naomi Wolf

Leadership & Adolescent Girls – Hoyt & Kennedy

Today’s Influences - TV“Reality TV”

◦ Laguna Beach◦ The Hills◦ The City

Judgmental Shows ◦ The After Show◦ Love Court

Gossip GirlSecret Life of the

American Teenager

Music

Female Pop Sensations◦ The Pussycat

Dolls◦ Girlicious

Lyrics◦ Infidelity◦ Girls are only

good for sexMusic Videos

◦ Dancing◦ Clothing (or lack

there of)

Forget about your boyfriend and meet me at the hotel room,You can bring your girlfriends and meet me at the hotel room…

TwilightPopularUnrealistic IdealsBella = Self-

loathes ◦ “she sits in her

room questioning how anyone could love her”

Love◦ Bella NEEDS

Edward or Jacob to be happy

Peers, Relationships & Social Media

Judgment◦ Clothes◦ Facebook/Twitter

Boys◦ girls imitate pop

culture◦ watch the same

thingsRelationships

◦ Dating starts young◦ Sex - Depression

Boys: Not to be ForgottenTough GuiseViolenceBody Image

◦ Rise in eating disorders

◦ Binge-eating◦ Body shape vs.

weightHelp…

What Can We Do?Self-Esteem vs.

ConfidenceClassroom ToneSensitive to

egocentrismCritical ThinkingStay Current!