Teenage Self Esteem

Why Do We Struggle So Much?

Teenage self esteem...there's an emptiness in many girls around this globe, what is the problem? We struggle with insecurity. We are ashamed of how we look.

In fact, I have a quiz on this website and over 50% of girls have answered that they are ashamed of how they look. Over fifty percent!

There is a problem.

Don't believe me? Check out these body image statistics showing the depth of this problem.

I have felt this emptiness before. For me, it tends to be a deep loneliness that threatens to engulf me. I often feel left out and rejected. On the outside. Even though I have loving and meaningful relationships, it isn't enough. I still have that gaping hole inside.

For you it may feel different, but I bet it's still there. Some of you may not even know it's there. I lived many years before I recognized it.

Mandisa - True Beauty

Mandisa truly does reflect true beauty. You can see her inner beauty radiate on her face and in her smile and it draws you to her. I remember watching her on American Idol and thinking how she had such a beautiful countenance. Listen to the lyrics of this song and think about how it relates to you and your true beauty!

So, What's the Problem?

Ultimately, the problem is that we are trying to find teenage self esteem and worth apart from God. "All things were created by him and for him" (Colossians 1:16). That hole inside us is meant to be filled by God and so nothing else will be enough. We will always still feel "hungry" for more.

I tried to get my worth from many other things....my relationships (husband, family, friends), my work (succeeding at what I do), my looks (clothes, make-up, hair, etc.), attention from guys, shopping, etc. We can try to fill this emptiness and void with anything and everything. Many of those things can become addictions over time. I've had a couple of those too.

And that is the enemy's purpose. He has come to steal kill and destroy (John 10:10). He wants to plant many weeds in our lives to choke out the life giving, fruit bearing plants.

However, I do believe there are other influences in our culture today that also contribute to this emptiness inside us. And I believe one of the biggest issues impacting us today is the pressure the media places on us to look "picture perfect."

How the Media Contributes to the Problem of Teenage Self Esteem and Body Image

Self Esteem and Media - Magazines, TV, movies, internet, video games

Watch this eye opening video on graphic editing for advertising.

Do you think it's fair that advertisements are edited that way? Share your thoughts.

Barbie Body Image - How toys like Barbie influence our body image

Video Games and Body Image - are all those hours playing video games deepening the problem?

Other Influences

The cultural expectations and current standards of beauty

Father Issues / Mother Issues

Evolution vs Creationism and the Impact on our Body Image

Next Steps

So where do you start? Here are a few pages on the website to get you started.

Also, always feel free to e-mail me your comments and questions. I'd love to hear from you!

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