As the team at Models Direct has been discussing the shocking numbers of teenage girls considering cosmetic surgery this week, we thought it would be a good time to introduce you to the new interactive digital resource named ‘Give yourself a chance’, launched by Girlguiding UK.
Aimed at girls aged 12-16, its tips and guidance work to tackle some shocking survey findings around cosmetic surgery desires; more than 1 in 10 girls aged 11-16 and half of young women aged 16-21 would consider cosmetic surgery. And with 47% of girls thinking that the pressure to look attractive is the most negative part of being female, we think it’s about time something was done to boost self esteem.
Cathy Fraser, Girlguiding UK spokesperson and head of Girlguiding UK’s youth panel Advocate, said: “Our research has shown the shocking extent to which girls would consider drastic action to change the way they look. Working closely with girls and young women, we are all too aware of the pressures they face to conform to a certain body image. ‘Give yourself a chance’ encourages girls to boost their self-confidence without cosmetic surgery and to give themselves the opportunity to develop fully.”
Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities, added: “The constant pressure to look impossibly perfect, be like skinny celebrities and conform to imposed stereotypes is creating a rising tide of low self-esteem, depression and anxiety amongst young girls and increasingly boys. I want young girls to feel valued not because of what they look like but for what they can contribute and achieve. But this is not a job for Government alone. Everyone has a role to play which is why I am delighted to lend my support to the ‘Give Yourself a Chance’ campaign which I think is an excellent and innovative way to reach young girls and tackle this modern day virus which is undermining so many.”
Expert tips, including ‘try something new’, ‘meet new people’ and ‘remember you’re unique’, have been provided by members of the Campaign for Body Confidence, BAPRAS (the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons) and TV presenter Jayne Middlemiss. It also includes the experiences and testimonies of young people in a bid to show others how to celebrate their bodies and enhance their self-esteem.
Liz, aged 21, said: “Try out lots of new things until you find something that you really enjoy. When you are feeling a bit down, do that activity and you will feel so much more confident about yourself.”
We at Models Direct fully support this initiative and wholeheartedly agree that trying something new and fun, such as modelling, can really help to boost self esteem.
For more information about ‘Give yourself a chance’ please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/giveyourselfachance or for information about becoming a model please visit http://www.modelsdirect.com/become-a-model.