Reflecting Body Image
Objective(s) & Context
1. Raise awareness and to deconstruct the influences of media on our understanding of body
image.
2. Support girls in understanding their personal view of body image.
This activity asks girls to critically look at media images and to think through their impact on our development of body image.
Duration
45–60 minutes
Depends on the size of the group
Group Size
20–30
Age Group
15 +
Skills
Analytical, communication, critical-thinking skills, reflection
Format(s) & Technique(s)
Large group, multimedia and talkback, individual reflection
Materials
Reflecting Body Image: Reference Sheet
Magazine cut outs of young women
Post-Its (one for each participant)
Facilitation Tips
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To support girls in focusing on this activity, you may want to tear out images from the magazines so they are less likely to read the magazines during this workshop.
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Choose magazines that the girls might choose themselves.
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Part 1 of this activity takes place as a large group discussion. It is followed by Part 2, which is worked on individually.
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The questions with a star (*) are suggested for participants 15 years and older.
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When this activity is completed, remind the girls that if they have any further questions, that they can talk to facilitators about it.
Popular Education Prompts
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This activity can start from girls’ knowledge of popular media and it can be grounded in their own interaction with current popular culture.
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Be careful not to criticize the images out right. Try to work from the girls’ own thoughts on the images, adding knowledge where necessary.
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You can also work with the girls in subsequent activities to create their own media images.
Leading the Activity: Steps to Take
Preparation:
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Have magazine images ready.
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Have a copy of the Reflecting Body Image: Reference Sheets for each participant.
Workshop:
Part 1: Activity
1. Present magazine image cut outs or video clips to the group (either post them up or put them on an overhead projector).
2. Once participants have seen the materials, lead a group discussion about how the media influences our ideas about body image.
Part 1: Discussion Questions
Who creates these images?*
Why do we think we should look a certain way?*
Where does our idea of the ‘ideal’ body come from?*
Who benefits from them?*
Why is there so much focus in our society on body image? Can anyone give examples of other
social cultures’ approach to body image?*
How does the ‘ideal’ image of women’s bodies differ from culture to culture?
What is beauty?*
Who decides what is beautiful?
Why are teenage girls vulnerable to the ideas of the “ideal” body?
How do you think boys feel social pressures about body image?
How does it differ from girls?
How do images we see in the media affect our daily lives?*
What kinds of things are girls doing to ensure they have an “ideal” body?*
What can we do to change society’s perceptions of the “ideal” body?*
What messages do we receive through popular culture regarding body image?*
How do these messages influence how we feel?*
How do these messages influence how we make decisions about our lives?*
Part 2
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Hand out a Reflecting Body Image: Reference Sheet to each participant.
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Explain to the participants that they will fill in the Reflecting Body Image Reference Sheet individually.
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Ask each participant to write down the things they like about their physical self and their inner self on the Reflecting Body Image Reference Sheet.
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Tell them that they will not be sharing this Reflecting Body Image: Reference Sheet with the group.
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Ask the participants if they have any questions or concerns. Once they begin, go around while they are completing the Reflecting Body Image: Reference Sheet to make sure that the participants are comfortable with this exercise.
Part 3
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Ask participants to form a circle.
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Hand out a Post-It to each participant.
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Ask them to draw a face representing how they feel about this activity (a smiley face if it was good, a neutral face if it was ok, a sad face if it could have been better, etc.).
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Collect the Post-Its from the participants.
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Ask them if they can provide any feedback about the activity to assess the general mood in the room.
Debrief
Questions to ask the group:
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How do you feel after doing this activity?
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Do you feel like this activity affects how you think about body image? How so?
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Do you feel like this activity affects how you think about media? How so?
Success Indicators
Participants are:
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More aware of how media affects public perceptions of body image
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Able to identify positive qualities about themselves that they like
Source: Smoke-Free for Life, a smoking prevention curriculum supplement from the Nova Scotia Department of Health, Drug Dependency and Tobacco Control Unit, 1996:
Some questions taken from “Mirror Image” by the Media Awareness Network:
