Today, as I sat drinking my coffee and going down all the rabbit holes of the internet, I found myself behind the curtain of the digital age's wizardry. While on my phone, in a mere 5-minute timeframe, I could take a picture of myself and edit it to depict an image of perceived 'perfection.' Everything from elongating my chin, adjusting my eye position, smoothing out every wrinkle and line, and even manipulating my eyebrow length. The result? A seamlessly flawless version of me.
Being the mother of five daughters, I can't help but wonder about the world they're growing up in. One enduring challenge young girls and women face is the relentless pressure to conform to a societal standard of beauty – an ever-changing yardstick that often seems unattainable. We're inundated with advertisements and products from a young age, seemingly chanting in chorus, "You're not good enough as you are."
Yet, with the power of technology at our fingertips, it's never been easier to alter our appearances to fit that mold. But while the technology empowers us with choice, it also presents a conundrum. Where do we draw the line between enhancement and deception, personal preference, and societal pressure?
I am no stranger to the world of advertising and marketing. The idea is to sell an aspirational lifestyle, a product, or an idea. But it's essential to recognize that these edited images are just that – edited. They're often far from the natural, unfiltered versions of ourselves.
So, what message does this send to our daughters? Do they need an app to be beautiful? That they aren't enough just as they are?
The conversation about self-worth and self-image is intricate, weaving through layers of personal, cultural, and technological narratives. But it's a conversation we must have, especially for the sake of the younger generation.
Balance is crucial. The first step towards finding that balance is transparency and education. Let's start by acknowledging the power of photo editing but also emphasizing the unparalleled beauty of authenticity. I am not saying makeup or beautifying yourself is a bad thing. If you love make-up, by all means, wear it! If you love fashion and the latest trends and all the things! That is FABULOUS!
In a world saturated with altered images, it is essential to impart to our young ones that true beauty lies in their unique quirks, genuine smiles, and the myriad of experiences that shape them because no app or filter can capture the essence of an individual's spirit, strength, and stories.
As parents, guardians, and mentors, our role isn't to shield them from societal pressures but to arm them with the confidence to navigate these challenges. To help them understand that while technology offers tools to change their image, their worth isn't determined by pixels or edits.
To my five beautiful daughters and every individual reading this: you are more than enough, just as you are. Embrace your genuine self, for there's no other like you. And that, in itself, is perfection.
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