Health
Opinion: 'Hot or Not?' Trust me, you're beautiful Teddi Noel Mattox
CNN Mrch 4th, 2012
788 words
A very intelligent 15-yearl old freshman at Montclair High School in New Jersey, Teddi, tells us how she feels about how other people expresses about her or others' looks. She says that literally society dresses all of us by saying what is "in" or "hot". Which does not mean that they are correct. Also, Teddi thinks that although a lot of times the comments are nice, it is not always the same case. Furthermore, that people's comments can affect a teenager self-esteem. Now, one of the biggest problems is posting pictures or videos of yourself to be accepted or "liked" by others, without seeing the damage that that does. Undoubtedly, Teddi makes a really good point by saying that we as teenagers are not in a good stage related with looks, and therefore, we are much more vulnerable than any other person. We have all those doubts, and worries, and just one comment good or bad can change our day or even mark our life.
I really liked to see an article like this, especially because it is from a teenager point of view. Maybe that way more girls would feel related to it, and understand that you all are beautiful and you are the one that decides how much by believing on you. I will love to have some kind of talk like this in our school, because many girls would be benefited from it.
http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/04/opinion-hot-or-not/?hpt=hp_bn8
I understand the pressures that 15 year old Teddi is feeling. In our society is it very difficult to be "accepted", especially nowadays when bullies can easily hide behind a computer screen. Even though it seems as if we have taken steps towards equalizing the genders, the type of attention that young girls are exposed to on social networking sites is increasingly misogynistic. Being judged on what is "hot" or "not" ultimately objectifies women and how they are viewed by society, especially teenage girls. Teenage girls are vulnerable at this point in their lives and this negative attention can severely damage ones self confidence.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cynthia in that the school would benefit from some sort of talk about gender equality and social roles. Girls should not be defined by how many "likes" they have on their facebook pictures but rather the content of their character.
The pressure of being "hot" really affects an adolescent girl. It seems to me that it affects girls more then is does boys. Girls will often judge others very harshly because they want to be accepted easier. In our society it seems that young girls are exposed to so much on how they should look like and if they don't they will be shunned or ostracized by the rest of the society.
ReplyDeleteI do agree in that the schools should talk more about equality, but in over all I do not think that it will change things very much unless we change our society.
I feel as if Teddi has grasped the view labeling people as "hot" and what is "in" very well. Day to day we will see people complementing people on how "hot" they are, but also it can be flipped around and used against them. People are always being criticizing saying that "Ew, your not hot at all" and it really puts a damper on some girls days/life. Also to get the image of "hot" is no simple task to achieve so it is hard for some girls to be even able to reach a level of "hot". I think we should all change our views and maybe not put so much pressure on women to get this "hot" image in the media.
ReplyDeleteHot or not, its all up to perception. Some people will think you are not good looking, while others will be attracted to you, its the fact of life. You cant please everyone. You need to start by pleasing yourself, dress how you want, how you like, whats more comfortable, dont want to put on make-up? Your choice, but I definetly see many adolescent girls being targeted about whats hot or not, or whos hot or not, this unfair pressure can make anyone crack.
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