Sometimes it is hard for a teen to feel good about themselves. Everywhere they look, they’re surrounded by images of perfect, beautiful men and women. What they may not realize is that those people spend all day with a trainer, or have had surgery, or the pictures are simply altered. Often times your teens feelings of inadequacy tend to spread past their looks to other areas of their life. What should you do? As a parent, you serve a vital role in shaping how your child sees themselves. You should take steps to help foster a positive body image for your child.
Watch what you say. Whether they show it or not, your child listens to your opinion. You may think an offhand comment about your child’s weight, intelligence, or other abilities means nothing, but it sticks with them. If your child is overweight, you should avoid pointing it out. It’s fairly unlikely that your teen doesn’t know they have a weight problem. Instead of suggesting they lose weight, suggest taking daily runs together or going to the gym.
Watch what you do. Children learn behaviors by watching other people; their parents included. If you obsess over your weight, your child is likely to do the same. Practice healthy eating and exercise habits and try to include your kids.
Many parents think that problems with [tag-tec]self esteem[/tag-tec] and [tag-ice]body image[/tag-ice] and are isolated to girls; this is not true. While it may not be as prevalent, boys can develop poor body images and eating disorders as well. Boys may also be pushed to develop muscle mass causing them to work out excessively or take steroids. Be sure to encourage a healthy self-image for your sons as well as daughters.
The best thing you can do to improve how your child feels about themselves is to compliment their good attributes. Emphasize the positive things about your child on a regular basis. If you tell them something enough, they’ll soon start to believe in themselves too.
It’s hard to get [tag-self]teens[/tag-self] to believe good things about themselves, but if you watch what you say and do, you can help them develop a more positive image of themselves.
How can I help my teen build a positive body image?
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Watch what you say—even offhand comments about your teen’s weight or appearance stick with them longer than you realize. Instead of pointing out a weight concern, suggest healthy activities you can do together, like taking daily walks or going to the gym as a family. Make a consistent habit of genuinely complimenting your teen’s real strengths and good attributes.
Do boys struggle with body image and self-esteem too?
Yes. While poor body image in teens is often associated with girls, boys can develop low self-esteem and eating disorders as well. Boys may feel pressure to build muscle mass, leading to excessive workouts or even steroid use. Be just as intentional about encouraging a healthy self-image for your sons as you are for your daughters.
What is the best thing a parent can do to improve a teen’s self-esteem?
Consistently compliment the things your teen genuinely does well. Emphasize their real strengths—not just their appearance, but their character, humor, persistence, and kindness. Repeated, specific, honest encouragement builds the kind of self-belief that helps teens weather the harder moments of adolescence.
How does a parent’s behavior affect their teen’s body image?
Children learn by watching their parents. If you obsess over your own weight or model unhealthy attitudes toward food and exercise, your teen is likely to absorb those patterns. Practice healthy eating and exercise yourself, and invite your kids to join in. The modeling you do quietly, day in and day out, shapes how your teen sees themselves.
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