I have a sister who is just about to graduate from high school. I have heard about the environment that she is faced with each and every day. I am shocked by the inappropriate comments that are made towards her. It really worries me, because I know that she is not the only one in such a negative environment. We send out our young women into a world that puts unrealistic expectations on them. Daily they are bombarded with images of “the perfect body.” Clothing styles and behavior demonstrated through the media attempt to drag each young woman down.
It is a difficult fight that faces the young women of the church. In “To Young Women,” Jeffrey R Holland says this:
“In this same vein may I address an even more sensitive subject. I plead with you young women to please be more accepting of yourselves, including your body shape and style, with a little less longing to look like someone else. We are all different. Some are tall, and some are short. Some are round, and some are thin. And almost everyone at some time or other wants to be something they are not! But as one adviser to teenage girls said: “You can’t live your life worrying that the world is staring at you. When you let people’s opinions make you self-conscious you give away your power. … The key to feeling [confident] is to always listen to your inner self—[the real you.]’ And in the kingdom of God, the real you is ‘more precious than rubies.”’
We need to take the time to build up each young woman. I know that feeling the love of my family helped me when I struggled with self-esteem issues as a teenager. My leaders were also examples to me of what true women of God are like. We can stand together and show the world through our quiet example the real beauty of women. I know that people notice the peace in women who have accepted themselves.
As we teach our children from a young age, the importance of being happy with whom they are naturally, we will bless them with the ability to face an environment that is increasingly more difficult. As we encourage and praise those around us, we can help them to find true acceptance and love