Why I pledged to ‘Be Real’

I am currently working towards my Queen's Guide Award, and for my Community Action section I decided to look into body image and empowerment. I chose this topic because I have always struggled with body image and self confidence. I am now beginning to see myself in a way that is more positive, and see how much I have to be thankful for, all because of my body and who I am. The fact that this is something so close to me, and I can use it not just to develop myself but as a positive force for those around me, makes this the perfect Community Action topic.

So what does pledging to be real mean?

The Body Image Pledge is part of the Be Real Campaign, created to address body image and anxiety. The pledge was created in partnership with businesses, charities and subject matter experts, and comprises of four principles:

1. Reflect Diversity – holding brands accountable by speaking out if a brand advertises in a way that lacks diversity and encourages an unhealthy body image.
2. Reflect Reality – limit or stop the editing of pictures and use less filters across social media platforms.
3. Promote Health and Wellbeing – talk more about what my body can do, and not what it looks like or can’t do.
4. Promote the Pledge – spread the word and get friends and family to also pledge to be real.

These principles are expected to be achieved through responsible portrayal of body image within all media forms, as well as by organisations, and in combination with the individual doing their part to be responsible.

What are the issues we are facing?

Body image anxiety can stop children putting their hands up in class; can prevent people from exercising; lead to eating disorders, including weight gain; and substance abuse to name a few. Research commissioned by Be Real and carried out by the YMCA has shown that ‘three in five young people (57%) have dieted, or would consider dieting to change the way they look’ and ‘one in ten young people said they would consider plastic surgery to change the way they look’ ('Somebody Like Me', 2017). In 2018, the 'In Your Face' report showed that 'more than half of young people (55%) have been bullied about their appearance’.

Origins of body image anxiety surround the number of expectations of appearance within modern society. It is important to note that this form of anxiety is by no means a female-only problem; men also experience the pressure. Media and celebrity culture is one area in which this issue is most prevalent, with the constant bombardment of the ‘perfect’ body and ‘ideals’ creating the pressure.

Peer groups also can enhance the body image expectations. While they do not specifically create the ‘ideals’ or ‘perfection’, for a lot of young people, it is this environment that underpins and reinforces them. In Somebody Like Me, many expressed that worrying about others’ judgements is an unavoidable part of growing up, while countless others admitted judging others even though they recognised the negative effect it could have on their self-esteem.

Concluding this post is difficult, as this is a big issue that deserves a lot more than just this one post. Whilst I am working through the Community Action section, I plan to help combat this with my Guide unit by covering the Free Being Me pack. I hope that this will enhance their own body image and raise some positivity at a crucial age.

I hope you will all join me in taking this pledge and battling our body image fears! #ipledgetobereal – berealcampaign.co.uk