Have you ever noticed that sometimes something that has once been firmly established seems to shift?...  

 

Take sexual health for example... it's no longer just about risks, reproduction and disease. It’s so much more than just mechanics. It's about how we access sex, how we behave and how we feel about ourselves and others. Young people’s exposure to sex and sexual health is so very different to that of their parent’s/teachers’ experiences. Covid 19 and associated lockdowns meant that teens missed out on social experiences (experiences that often help them develop a sense of self and social skills), and instead created a demand for more digital interactions online. According to the ¹Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) self-generated sexual imagery of children as young as 7-10 years old has increased three-fold making it the fasted growing age group. In 2020 there were 8,000 instances. In 2021 there were 27,000 – a 235% increase. 

 

 

We constantly receive messages about sex and relationships from our exposure to the media we see. These messages can be subtle and not always helpful. Adverts can negatively impact body image and self-esteem, with false messages around the ‘ideal’ beauty standard, and what a ‘perfect’ relationship should look like, all of which confirm the false beliefs around needing to be beautiful in order to be appealing to others and worthy of love. Adverts teach us not so much about the product they are selling, but rather a lifestyle you can achieve if you buy that product. 

 

Social/sexual scripts in the movies tell us that women should be pursued by men, fall in love easily and enjoy their ‘happy ever after’. Oh, and don’t forget the 'perfect' sexual experiences, that don't involve the x3 Cs - communication, consent and contraception... you get the idea... 

 

The reality is with social media and technology, the potential access to sexual people and content in one week is unrecognisable compared to that of our ancestors. Sexting/sending nudes has become part of how young people communicate. Yet many, if asked, wouldn’t take their clothes off if standing in a room full of people. 

The divide between the real world and the digital world has become pretty small, with little attention to the repercussions in life from the choices we make (indecent exposure also applies on-line etc). 

 

With abbreviated codes and a plethora of emojis, (sexual) digital communication has evolved into its own language, which makes it all the more easy for the divide between real life and digital realms to blur. Sadly, shame, fear, isolation, anxiety and depression are just some of the consequences that may be encountered whilst navigating sex in the digital age. 

 

 

1https://www.iwf.org.uk/news-media/news/three-fold-increase-of-abuse-imagery-of-7-10-year-olds-as-iwf-detects-more-child-sexual-abuse-material-online-than-ever-before/ 

 

Why is it that we are comfortable calling an arm an arm (or a limb), yet there are so many slang words for 'private parts'... well, the reality is there's often a significant amount of unease when it comes to saying those words? 

 

Don't get me wrong, pet names are fine, as long as they are accompanied by an understanding of the correct terminology and purpose of each body part. Using any word other than the actual name of a body part can create a subconscious message that certain body parts shouldn't be spoken about and so shame and taboo reside. Education, using the correct terminology and communication are key when it comes to understanding our bodies, normalising our bodies and keeping safe. 

 

A recent *study showed that when asked to label the different parts of the vulva just 46% of participants identified that there are three “holes”, almost 50% left the labelling section blank and only 9% correctly labelled all seven structures (clitoris, labia majora, labia minora, urethral opening, vaginal opening, perineum and anus). 

For generations sex education has centred on risks, reproduction, procreation and how to prevent it, and female pleasure has often been ignored (a result of overt shame around female sexuality historically). According to Kate Moyle, Psychosexual Psychotherapist, “The clitoris is a primary sexual organ. The vagina is a separate structure with a completely different purpose. But we’re only really taught about the latter. For men, structure and purpose are kind of overlapping.” Accepting the natural, beautiful state of the human body (and all it's parts) is the beginning of giving every person the freedom to appreciate and value their body and all it can do. 

 

We wouldn't expect a teenager to sit their maths GCSE exams without teaching them about the different elements, yet there is often a reluctance to help young people understand their bodies. Relationships and sex are intrinsically linked to a person's emotional, physical, social and mental well-being. An understanding of the human anatomy can help with safeguarding, boundaries and ultimately contribute towards establishing positive, healthy, safe relationships and sexual experiences. 

 

#education #rse #starttheconversation 

 

*https://lnkd.in/dsdqpzP3 

More often than not parents and carers dread that moment... those inevitable questions... 

 

So why is talking about sex with our children so uncomfortable? Well, the short answer is there is still a lot of shame and taboo around this subject. Parents are often unsure, unconfident or simply don’t want to say ‘those’ words. Yet, children and young people have questions and if we don’t teach them we need to ask ourselves who else will be? ... 

 

Sadly, pornography and peers often end up being the main educators when it comes to learning about sex. (1)The average age a child first views porn is 11 years old. According to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), the Majority of young people's first-time watching pornography was accidental, with over 60% of children 11-13 years who had seen pornography saying their viewing of pornography was unintentional and a third of teenagers believe that porn dictates the nature of sexual relationships. The BBFC report also highlighted a discrepancy between parents’ views and what children were experiencing in reality. 75% of parents felt that their child would not have seen pornography online. However, of their children, 53% said they had in fact viewed some form of pornography. 

 

I love working with parents and carers and it would be great to chat with you over a coffee answering any questions you may have, however as this is not a feasible option, I have compiled some key tips that I hope will give you the confidence and peace of mind to be able to have those conversations with your young person as and when the time arrives. So, why not grab a cup of your favourite beverage and have a read of some top tips - How to talk with your children about sex and relationships (without the awkwardness)... 

 

 

First of all, think about what might stop you from having ‘those’ chats. What are your fears? Getting comfortable talking about this subject can take time… think of it as ‘Slow-cooker’ approach, rather than 'instant microwave cooking'! 

 

1. Recognise that it's ok to feel uncomfortable when talking about sex. You are definitely not alone! 

2. Practice saying certain words to yourself, notice if you cringe at a particular word. Practice until you feel comfortable – make it the norm (avoiding certain words in conversations creates a feeling of shame/taboo around them). 

3. Start looking for opportunities to use words like vulva, clitoris, penis, breasts or puberty. 

4. Fears and discomfort are common...for example, worrying that talking about a topic i.e. porn, might encourage your child to go off and Google it. However, even being aware of potential barriers like this, means you are more likely to be intentional about having important conversations around this subject. 

5. Talk about sex and bodies in a relaxed, comfortable, everyday way…they’ll realise you don’t feel shameful and that it’s ok to talk about such things. Using a calm tone of voice is key, if you’re tense or angry, they’ll pick up on your fear / hang-ups. (Kids often listen to not what you say, but rather how you say it). 

6. These conversations are important - It’s about the fact that you’re talking. You don’t have to do it perfectly. 

7. Avoiding answering questions will increase their curiosity. If they need to know something i.e., “what is porn?” you need to satisfy their curiosity otherwise they’ll go and ask peers or Google it. But if you give them a straightforward answer, they can go: “OK. What’s for dinner?” and move on. 

8. Delaying a reply takes the pressure off you, but you must get back to them…if you forget, they’ll think it’s a topic you don’t want to talk about and then you will appear unapproachable for future conversations / questions. 

9. Every question deserves a response, but not every question deserves an answer. It is more harmful to ignore your child’s questions about sex than it is to answer them – you know your child best, gauge when it is helpful to share information, and when it is better not to go into unnecessary detail. Children will only process what they are able to, but you don’t want to overwhelm them resulting in them missing the key points of your chat. 

10. Whatever the topic, discuss with care and sensitivity regardless of your beliefs. 

11. Activity makes conversation more natural…for many parents, while their hands are busy, they relax, and if their child is busy, it’s easier to start talking. Go for a walk/drive together, not having eye-contact can help create a more comfortable space for talking. 

12. It’s not about having ‘the talk’, but rather it’s just another conversation…a constant ‘scaffolding’ approach (adding more and more information to their ‘knowledge bank’). Kids are learning about sex much sooner than in previous generations– hearing other kids talking about it and sexual innuendoes on the radio, films, TV shows, are prevalent in today's society. 

13. It’s better that they hear about relationships and sex from you / trusted adult who will provide the facts, rather than them accessing inaccurate information or having them think it’s horrific, scary and negative. 

14. If your child isn’t asking you questions, just start conversations yourself and let them know you’re open to talking. 

15. These simple conversations can change future generations…all it takes is one parent to be more open, honest and positive with their child, then their child will be open and honest with their child – and this ripple of positivity will just get bigger and bigger. 

16. Be positive - avoid fear tactics: 

17. Talk early. Talk often: 

 

 

SEX. It would be fair to say it’s everywhere, in some guise or another, woven into the intricate tapestry of society. Whether it’s on TV, in books, magazines, films or on social media. With such prevalence how can we ensure the matter of sex be one of pleasure, rather than pressure... a pressure that perhaps underlies every new encounter and relationship...a pressure to be the perfect partner, lover, or spouse? 

 

Research has identified, of those interviewed, 44% of men and 52% of women said they were not ready to have sex the first time (BMJ study (2019)). 

 

If first-time sex is rarely about sex, but rather about pressure, status and feeling accepted, how do we raise a generation of young people who recognise their worth and seek to have fulfilling sexual relationships when (and if) they decide to do so? And what about those who are asexual, experiencing little or no sexual desire, but enjoying intimate, romantic relationships? Or those who choose to delay sex, abstain, or choose to be celibate all of which are ok too? 

 

If some children are accessing pornography as young as eight years old and therefore, have no point of reference, how will they ever know what healthy sex and relationships look like? In the 2021 Pornhub Year in Review statisticians, found that the popularity of searches containing ‘how to’ increased by 244% (over 200,000 videos on Pornhub are tagged ‘how to’). Perhaps this increase shows that people are looking to improve their sex lives and is a result of the fact that talking about sex and relationships has been taboo for so long, leaving people unsure as to where they need to go to learn about sex. 

 

However, when violence, aggression and coercion are perceived and normalised as 'passion' within a sexual encounter, it is evident that the need for conversation, education and sensitivity is paramount. Learning about sex from pornography is like learning to drive by watching Mario Kart or The Fast and the Furious. Young people need a safe space and opportunity to be able to ask questions and become critical thinkers so they can identify the differences between what the media and pornography tell us sex and bodies ‘should’ look like and what healthy sex and relationships actually require. 

 

 

The key to a fulfilling sex life is not necessarily trying different sex positions, experimenting with sex toys, watching pornography, or practising role play, as many internet searches will have people believe. Although these activities may assist some people, without the foundation of a deep emotional connection, they’re more of a ‘sticking-plaster’ solution. Sharing a deep bond with a partner builds sexual intimacy. Intimacy comes from friendship and romance, and from sexual intimacy comes sexual fulfilment.  

 

 

• Increasing physical affection – regularly engaging in non-sexual touching such as holding hands, hair stroking, or hugging creates connection and increases sexual intimacy and desire. But, of course, some people are less tactile than others and find too much touch overwhelming or uncomfortable (and that’s ok too), so finding a happy balance that works for both partners is essential. 

(Check out www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language to see what your love language is) 

 

• Honest communication – couples who talk honestly and freely understand each other and gain mutual respect. Without second-guessing or misinterpretation, negative feelings don’t follow into the bedroom, where they can hinder pleasurable sex. 

 

• Consent – The presence of consent dramatically determines whether a sexual experience is pleasurable or not. Without consent, the act is not only a criminal offence but will not be pleasurable for all involved. So, what is consent? ...it’s actually all about FRIES: Consent (or permission-giving/receiving) is: 

 

So how do people communicate consent? Well, it can be verbal and non-verbal (body-language)... Just because you don’t hear a “no”, doesn’t mean the ‘green light’ has been given. *Silence*, *nervous giggle*, *changing the subject*... this is not consent (check out our video for more about this at https://youtu.be/jMFyK1pzl-I). 

 

“No” means no, not “convince me”. 

 

So what does consent sound like? It can sound like “Yes”, “That feels good”, “I'd like to...”, “It feels good when you . . .” It’s a process that must be entered into every step of the way; if you want to move to the next level of sexual intimacy, just ask. 

 

• Emotional vulnerability – being able to acknowledge and express feelings openly with a partner creates a trust bond. Both parties should feel comfortable relaxing, exploring their sexuality, and enjoying their sexual relationship in this safe place. 

 

• Prioritising each other – the demands of modern life can be all-consuming, leaving many with little or no time to consider their partner. So, when couples take the time to acknowledge each other’s presence and prioritise their needs, they demonstrate caring and help cement that deep bond. 

 

• Positive affirmation – regularly sharing positive statements about each other removes negative or unhelpful thoughts and can generate positivity in the relationship. Nobody is perfect, so reminding ourselves of the great qualities of ourselves and our partner can help create a greater sense of satisfaction and happiness, often leading to greater sexual desire and pleasure. 

 

• The three C’s... Communication, Consent, Contraception. Without communication (verbal or non-verbal), consent can’t be present and without contraception, unnecessary worries about STIs or unplanned pregnancy can dampen the mood! 

 

The ingredients for enjoyable sex are there for all to utilise, if desired. The key is to recognise them and apply them consistently.. 

 

Click here to read rePHRASE's article contribution for Yahoo Life UK. 

Our deepest emotional need is to feel loved. It’s in the depth of every human and can significantly affect our well-being if this need is not met. When we feel loved, we can cope with life’s ‘ups and downs’, and things generally feel a little bit more positive. However, when we don’t feel loved, we can feel lonely, rejected, unhappy and life can look pretty rubbish. Yet, it is possible to be loved, but not feel loved. 

 

 

Dr Gary Chapman defines five key methods in which love can be communicated between people (the 5 Love Languages): 

 

1. Quality time – Uninterrupted time, one-on-one time is important 

2. Acts of service – letting them know you’re available to help / complete tasks for the other person 

3. Physical Touch – using non-verbal body language and touch to show love 

4. Gifts – Thoughtfulness, prioritising the person. 

5. Words of affirmation – encourages, affirms, shows appreciation 

 

Communicating in a person's primary ‘love language’ can help them feel loved and speaking each other’s 'love language' can help build and maintain happy, healthy relationships. This not only applies to couples in romantic relationships, but also to relationships between parent-child, friends and colleagues. 

 

Too often in our personal and professional lives, miscommunication happens and can lead to unnecessary frustration. Here are some common causes of poor communication: 

 

 

But what if we: 

 

 

Click here to see some of the student feedback received following one of our Healthy Relationships workshops (including the importance of communication). 

 

So what's your ‘Love Language?  

 

Why not find out and take the quiz today ... www.5lovelanguages.com 

 

#communicationiskey #5lovelanguages #investineachother 

 

Whether you consider this question to be about trivia or truth, it’s a topic that can’t be avoided in this digital age. Long gone are the days when it took courage (and height) to walk into the local newsagents, reach the top shelf and purchase an X-rated magazine. Over time, with the advancement of technology, there’s now accessible porn 24/7... an amount that is too much to watch in a lifetime. Porn sites attract more visitors each month than Amazon, Netflix, and Twitter combined. 

 

Whether we like it, or not young people are growing up in a sexualised society that normalises pornography with (1)81% of adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 having seen pornography. Baroness Kidron, who chairs the children’s safety group the 5 Rights Foundation, says: (2)“Frictionless access to online pornography is not an equivalent to the hazy memories of men who once read a soft porn mag behind the cricket shed. It is a multibillion industry delivering eye-watering violence towards women and girls, delivered by a tech sector proven to be driven by profit and with a willful disregard for children’s safety and wellbeing.” 

 

 

Young people go through significant social, cognitive, biological, and psychological changes during their teenage years. (3)Anything that interrupts healthy development can result in young people being more vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. After all, porn is rated 18+ for a reason...the prefrontal cortex (the thinking, rational, logical part of the brain) is not fully developed in teenagers so their judgement is likely to be impaired when watching behaviours depicted in porn and may believe this is what is expected in sexual encounters. In addition to Increased levels of sexual aggression, low self-esteem and poor body image, impotency is no longer an ‘old’ mans’ problem. Erectile dysfunction in young men is now a reality. (4)Watching porn has a neurological impact on the brain, which in turn can have negative physical and emotional consequences to the individual and their relationships. 

 

 

There are a variety of reasons why someone might watch pornography...Novelty (What weird things might we see?); Nudity (for titillation / comparing self with others); Pleasure/outlet for masturbation; Sex education, Boredom, Peer Pressure, No fear of rejection if interacting with porn (no need to be vulnerable or risk getting hurt); Relationships require work, porn is about consumerism and is therefore easy (it feeds the consumer-culture of one-way gratification). 

 

 

Learning about sex from porn is like learning to drive by watching ‘The Fast and the Furious’, or ‘Mario Kart’. It’s never going to end well! In porn, there's no real reference to consent, contraception, intimacy, communication or foreplay. It creates a sense of entitlement with whoever, whenever, however (no consent) and can include the use of child sexual abuse images. 

Furthermore, porn performers are paid to look like they're enjoying extreme versions of sex, but they are only acting. Sure, not everyone in mainstream porn may have been forced against their will, but how do you know? Porn depicts sexual aggression and yet female performers are paid to appear to be enjoying it – they are paid to ‘act the part’. How can you tell if what you're seeing is genuinely consensual - both at the time of the act and to the availability of the video thereafter? 

 

The messages projected from mainstream porn include narrow gender stereotypes (body shape, size, body hair); Misogyny and violence against women (content is increasingly more violent compared to 50 years ago, (5)88% of scenes in top rented and downloaded porn include violence against women. 

 

If this is sex education for so many in today’s society, then it’s hardly surprising that a person's first sexual experience (based on porn) can cause anxiety, fear and a pressure to perform in a certain way based on porn's unrealistic portrayal of what sex 'should' be like, especially if there’s no frame of reference. First time sexual experience based on porn takes away the choice of being kind, loving, gentle...very confusing for those trying to learn about sex from porn! 

 

 

• Laughter. 

• Struggling to take trousers off. 

• Love. 

• Flirting. 

• Intimacy. 

• Erectile dysfunction. 

• Vaginismus. 

• Pets watching. 

• Sex with socks on. 

• Leg cramps. 

• Needing a wee. 

• Communication. 

• Consent. 

• Contraception. 

• Struggling to put the condom on. 

• Peeing after sex. 

• ‘Queeffs’ (an audible release of air from the vagina, typically during or after sex) 

• Running to get the loo roll. 

• Emotional releases...such as crying. 

• Stretchmarks and scars. 

• Changing your mind halfway through. 

• Awkward position changes. 

• Having difficulty getting in the mood. 

 

What would happen if we simply accepted this reality as a beautiful collection of vulnerable, honest, and sometimes funny exchanges between intimate partners? Maybe, we would discover a depth of fulfilment, safety and pleasure that is unexpected and wonderful. (6)Research shows that couples who do not watch porn have stronger, healthier, more faithful relationships and experience higher sexual satisfaction. 

 

 

Tips for parents: 

 

1. Don’t panic! You’re not alone... (7)75% of parents surveyed felt that their child would NOT have seen porn online. However, of their children, 53% said they had in fact seen it. 

 

2. Responding in a shame-free way can help promote open dialogue and show you are a trusted adult who is there to provide support. Help them to develop critical thinking skills so they feel empowered to make healthy, informed decisions when it comes to their experience of sex and relationships. 

 

We can’t kill human curiosity, so maybe there needs to be a greater focus on providing positive messages to young people regarding relationships and sex and acknowledging that curiosity is perfectly normal, but that there are safer places to learn about sex, relationships, and bodies. 

 

When a healthy relationship consists of honesty, trust, respect, and consent (not a one-way relationship), a counter-narrative to porn’s distortion of sex could be to empower young people to recognise they deserve and have the right to experience healthy relationships and... that sex is designed to be enjoyed in a loving, safe, respectful way, whilst also recognising that it’s perfectly valid to delay having sex until you are ready, or not have sex at all (not everyone experiences sexual desire and that’s ok too). 

 

 

 

Gaslighting is sometimes so gently, subtly executed, you could miss it. A form of psychological abuse, gaslighting is a manipulation technique used to make you doubt yourself, your memory, or your sense of reality. 

 

The term gaslighting comes from Gas Light, a 1938 stage play, in which a husband tries to make his wife think she's losing her mind so he can commit her to a mental institution and steal her inheritance. So he dims the gas-powered lights in their home, and when his wife points it out, denies that the light changed. 

 

Gaslighting is a highly effective form of emotional abuse that causes the victim to doubt their feelings or sanity. The abusive partner may say things like "You're crazy, I never said that" or "That never happened", deliberately misleading the victim and creating a false narrative. Gradually the victim loses their sense of reality and starts to question their sanity, which plays further into the hands of the abuser. 

 

This form of abuse can happen in any type of relationship and at any age, but is most common in romantic partnerships. Click here to see some of the impact our Healthy Relationship Workshops have on young people. 

 

Withholding: the abuser refuses to listen or pretends not to understand. 

Countering: the abusive partner questions the other's memory of an event. 

Blocking/diverting: the abuser changes the subject or questions the victim's thinking. 

Trivialising: the abusive partner makes the victim feel that their needs or feelings are unimportant. 

Forgetting/denial: the manipulator pretends to have forgotten what actually happened or denies something they had agreed to. 

Discrediting: the abuser spreads rumours and gossip about the victim, often pretending to be worried about them but telling others that they are emotionally unstable. 

Blaming: the abusive partner twists every situation to blame the other person. 

 

Of significant concern with this type of abuse is that the victim loses all sense of reality and so becomes unaware of the manipulation. Once the victim loses the ability to trust their perceptions, they're more likely to stay in the abusive relationship. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of the signs, which include: 

 

• You feel confused, and like you're losing your mind. 

• You have trouble making decisions and second-guess yourself. 

• You're constantly apologising to your partner. 

• You're afraid to speak up or express your opinion. 

• You feel alone and powerless. 

• You worry that you're too sensitive. 

• You feel as though everything you do is wrong. 

• You feel inadequate and wonder what's wrong with you. 

• You feel an impending sense of doom. 

• You start lying to avoid the putdowns and reality twists. 

• You don't feel like the person you used to be. 

 

If you identify with any of the signs above, we urge you to speak to someone you trust and seek help... (https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk). 

As human beings, we crave relationships with others. And stable and healthy relationships are vital to our mental and emotional wellbeing. 

 

Yet all too often, a seemingly healthy romantic relationship can be quite the opposite. Unfortunately, for young people especially, it can be hard to discern the difference and know when a relationship is destructive to their needs. 

 

Sometimes a relationship may start well and gradually deteriorate over time. The changes might be subtle, so the partnership becomes increasingly toxic without either party realising what is happening. It's essential to be aware of what we term the ‘red flags’, (those signs that things might not be as well as we want to believe). 

 

Characteristics of a toxic or unhealthy relationship 

 

Control - one partner makes all the decisions and tells the other what to do. 

 

Coercion – pressure to do something you don’t want to do (this can be very subtle) 

 

Fear – one partner may make the other feel fearful or timid 

 

Gas-lighting – when a person hurts you and blames you for it. Gradually undermining your self-confidence and sense of reality. 

 

Dishonesty - one partner lies to or withholds information from the other. 

 

Distrust – one partner distrusts the other and can be possessive or jealous when their partner spends time away from them. 

 

Hostility - one partner is antagonistic and picks fights with the other. 

 

Disrespect - one partner doesn't respect their partner's boundaries and may mock them (the only people who get upset when you set boundaries, are those who benefited from you having none in the first place). 

 

Dependence – one partner becomes so dependent on the other that they cannot exist without their partner. 

 

Isolation – one partner may become cut off from friends and family as the controlling partner deliberately removes their support system. 

 

Physical, emotional or sexual abuse - one partner is abusive towards the other. Relationship abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional, financial or sexual. 

 

A healthy relationship is the opposite – you trust one another, have mutual respect, support each other, enjoy lives away from one another, communicate together and enjoy consensual physical intimacy.  

 

 

 

Knowing our values, attitudes, and the kind of relationship we desire can help avoid 'red flag' relationships. By being aspirational in our thinking and remaining true to ourselves, we can discover safe, healthy relationships with others. 

 

At rePHRASE, we empower young people to understand their right to have healthy and safe relationships. We educate them about the value of self-worth and respect alongside the characteristics of healthy and toxic relationships so they can confidently develop healthy and fulfilling relationships. 

Body parts come in all shapes, sizes and colours, yet living in today’s society, that’s hard to believe. Body image is how we think and feel about ourselves physically and how we imagine others see us. Our perception of our bodies is predominantly influenced by what we see around us. 

So the perfectly curated beings that flout before us online, on TV, in magazines and in films dispel any notion that this idealised image isn’t the norm. 

 

Therefore, it’s not surprising that we feel immense pressure to look a certain way, often experiencing self-loathing when we don’t. And for our young people dealing with adolescence and associated body changes while learning how to navigate life, these feelings are exacerbated. 

 

A negative body image can adversely impact a young person in many ways. For example, low self-esteem, a lack of confidence, increased levels of anxiety, depression, critical self-thoughts, social isolation, eating disorders, and self-harming behaviour are all possible consequences of body dissatisfaction. 

 

By allowing these unrealistic body ideals to influence young people, we’re setting them up for a lifetime of misery. 

 

 

Young people need help understanding that the images of beauty they regularly see before them aren’t real. It’s time to dispel the perfection myth, stop comparisons to the impossible dream and celebrate uniqueness. 

 

 

By: 

• Talking openly with our young people. 

• Educating adolescents about unrealistic appearance ideals, what genuine body parts look like, and how social media and celebrity culture distort our real-life views. 

• Encouraging young people to celebrate their unique selves. 

 

If we can influence young people to cherish their bodies, regardless of size, shape and colour, we’ll empower a next generation of happy and confident people. 

Click here to see how our bespoke parent-support packs can help parents become great RSE home-educators.