Images of women

Contends that an obsession with food, weight and dieting dominates the lives of many girls and that assertiveness exercises and better awareness of the pressures exerted by media images of women can encourage pupils to have more realistic expectations of themselves. Suggests ways in which teachers can help young girls, particularly those who might appear to have an eating disorder. Considers the possible causes of eating disorders and the images of womanhood as portrayed by the media. Feels that the slimming and catering industries have enormous financial incentives to perpetuate myths about how women should look. Supports the view that, although pupils may need help to improve their eating patterns and diet, they also need help to like themselves and replace their feelings of guilt with appreciation of self‐worth. They can be helped to find ways to reduce their levels of stress and ensure their expectations are realistic. Concludes by recommending that the first suggestion, for building self‐esteem, be followed by assertiveness training activities, and that, after the second exercise on Images,participants should become aware that building their own self‐confidence is a vital first step in analysing and controlling their own eating patterns.