Updated: April 28, 2020
Originally Published: May 12, 2005
In an age where body positivity is vital, it’s disheartening to see a popular tween magazine, Discovery Girls, publish a three-page swimsuit guide aimed at girls aged 8 to 12 that focuses on “finding the perfect suit for your body type.” While the magazine’s goal is to help young girls cultivate a “positive sense of self,” the content of this guide raises some serious concerns.
Imagine my daughter, an 8-year-old who fits perfectly within this demographic, flipping through the latest issue and encountering advice like:
- “If you’re straight up and down, try asymmetrical straps and bold prints to add curves!”
- “If you’re rounder in the middle, busy patterns draw the eye inward!”
- “If you’re curvy on the bottom, highlight your upper half with dramatic details!”
For my daughter, the only criteria for swimsuit selection should be whether she finds the patterns cute or the colors vibrant—not worrying about her body shape or how to “add curves” to her prepubescent frame. I want her to enjoy her childhood without the burden of body image concerns.
This guide seems to suggest that girls should be self-conscious about their bodies, leading them to scrutinize their reflections and feel the need to “fix” what they see. The illustration accompanying the article even features a girl with distinctly African-American features, which complicates matters further.
How does a well-established magazine, with numerous professionals involved in its production, allow such a contradictory article to slip through? Catherine Lee, the publisher, expressed her astonishment in a letter on Discovery Girls’ Facebook page, noting that the intent was to promote confidence through fun swimsuit choices. Yet, the impact of the article was anything but positive, especially given how impressionable girls are at this age.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Just a year prior, I wrote about a similar misstep from another well-known brand. Lego Friends magazine had suggested haircuts for different face shapes, prompting my daughter to ask if she had an oval face because that shape supposedly suited “almost anything.” Such messaging can create insecurities that young girls shouldn’t have to face.
The message here is clear: pointing out differences in girls’ bodies and suggesting ways to “fix” them is simply unacceptable. We need to let children be kids and give them the freedom to embrace their bodies as they are.
For further insights into parenting and maintaining a positive environment for children, check out this engaging post on Modern Family Blog. Also, if you’re considering home insemination, Make A Mom offers reliable at-home insemination syringe kits. Lastly, for comprehensive information on pregnancy and home insemination, UCSF’s Center is a fantastic resource.
In summary, it’s crucial to foster healthy body image conversations among young girls. We should advocate for their right to enjoy their childhood without the pressures of adult-like body expectations.
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