Changing perceptions in self-image

Today, in the language class, we watched a video called Comfortable: 50 People 1 Question. The beginning of the video resembles many others, which purpose is to change people’s view towards their own body. These videos are made specifically to catch the attention of consumers and to convince them to buy a certain product. The ambiguity of the message this videos send is extraordinary. This particular video, however, deals with the same topic but from a different perspective. As adults and children are asked “The question” we realise that there is depth in the phrasing of the question that brings to the surface a singular social phenomenon. 

“If you could change one thing about your body, what would it be?”

After watching the video I had three specific questions about the answers to that particular question. Why do adults want to change physical characteristics? How is it connected to the reason the give for wanting to do so? Why do children want to add characteristics that can give them abilities and not change the ones they have?

While looking for information about the matter, I came across an interesting research. A global survey was done, supervised by Maja Becker, a social psychologist at the CLLE (Laboratoire Cognition, Langue, Langages, Ergonomie, CNRS / Université de Toulouse II-Le Mirail). The results indicate that regardless of our personal values, we base most of our self-esteem on the fulfilment of the dominant values of our culture. This information might be helpful when trying to find an explanation for the abysmal difference between children and adults’ answers. When we are children, our body is a precious gift: it helps us play, eat, and communicate. We accept it as it is. Furthermore, we want to make it better by having abilities that would help us do what we enjoy. This way, the answer most children give in the video makes sense. It is related to an enhancement of one of our abilities: to have shark teeth to eat a lot, to have a mermaid tail, to be as fast as a cheetah, etc.   

As we grow up, nevertheless, our perception changes. Our circle of acquaintanceship grows, and we start being influenced by the opinion of our peers. This situation leads to a categorisation of Physical characteristics: some are valued and some are perfect to be mocked.  Unfortunately, the view of our body is distorted by society’s aesthetics values and we lose the positive impression we had of our self-image. This might be the reason why most adults explained that they suffered a lot when they were kids due to the fact that their physical characteristics were considered abnormal.

I believe that it is of the utmost importance that we stop for a moment and reflect on our self-image. Do we consider ourselves beautiful? Do we hate some characteristic of our body? I so, why? Is it really our opinion or somebody else's? If our opinion is influenced in a negative way by others we need to start leaving aside those negative comments and embrace a positive opinion towards ourselves. This will contribute to our mental and physical health and to our attitude towards ourselves and the others.