by Megan Sweica

Monday night’s topic was self image. Self image is a huge issue that teens deal with everyday. The idea of self image is broad and generally hard to wrap one’s head around but the small groups helped to pick out the different pieces, like media and gender roles, within the topic to get a better understanding of the true definition. Why is sex so often found and used in advertisements? Why do people feel the need to dress in a way that causes others to disrespect and objectify them? What are the consequences of these actions, short and long term? These were just a few of the questions being thrown around throughout the small group discussions.
In closing and reflection on the topic as a whole, Mike Paull helped to pick up those pieces and make some sense of the topic.
Self image is an aspect of life that everyone must deal with and an essential part of developing character. And although its name implies singularity, self image is truly most effective and beneficial when those around you either confirm or strengthen your beliefs/perspective about yourself. Even the strongest of people need reassurance and support from loved ones to tell them that they are strong, they are beautiful and they are loved.