Latina Self-Image_What is Be

Why Chicas? Why do we let other people dictate to us what is beautiful? There is no such thing as "ideal" beauty.  This is a truth that is slowly being drained from our minds. We are bombarded by the media's idea of what is beautiful. How is it possible that being exposed to skinny models and perfect faces in advertisements do not weigh onto our own physical appearance when measured against those standards?

Feeling bad about ourselves becomes like a mosquito that never seems to go away. Insecurities are constantly buzzing in our heads, distracting us from living life to the fullest. Studies done in the 90s’ showed that Latina girls tended to have a more positive body image than both Anglo and African American girls. However, more recent studies have shown that this percentage is rapidly falling.

The question that comes to mind is: "Why?" For example, did you know the average person in the United States sees approximately 3,000 ads in magazines, on billboards, and on television every day?  Studies show that girls who regularly read magazines tend to diet and base their body image on photos and messages they find in the advertisements. In fact, many young girls feel they must look like the images in magazines to be considered beautiful or accepted by others.

While the media's representation of beauty is affecting self image, there is another damage that is being done. A random survey taken in 2006 questioned girls about their views on sex. The survey found that 90 percent of girls feel pressured to have sex at a young age, forsaking the morals that were taught to them through generations of careful parenting. How do young girls defend themselves against the pressures of looking and acting a certain way? Here is a four step mindset that is sure to help those that are struggling with the battle of the beauties.

1. Realize that the body type seen in ads is common in less than 10 percent of the population.

 Know that there are techniques used in advertising, such as air brushing & touch-ups, including a “thinning” process. Television and movie professionals have advantages such as makeup artists, hairstylists, clothing consultants, and lighting experts to make them look good.

2. Remember that it is okay to partake in all the fashion that magazines and television has to offer, but know that for every body type there is a style
   of clothing that fits well and flatters.  It is not necessary to wear what you see, or to wear something fabulous.  It is more important to look fabulous in what fits you.

3. Focus on your talents and abilities more than you focus on your
   appearance. A well accomplished and confidant woman that is skilled is less likely to suffer from low self-esteem. Confidence is sexy.

4. Remind yourself everyday in the mirror that no one sets the rules for
   what is beautiful except for you. If you do not like your nose—decide to like it; if you don't like your eye color—change your mind. No one has your nose but you, and you may not like your eye color, but at least you have a good shape to your eyes, or you give the best sexy looks of anyone you know!

Being confident takes practice. It means changing a mindset that has previously been convinced of something else. Practice shooing out any negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones.

It will only be a matter of time before you see what was there all along:  a girl beautiful in her own right—a girl that can have anything, do anything and be anything that she wants!