#DoveInspired Vive Mejor’s Hablemos (Let’s Talk) Campaign

In our society where real beauty is usually photoshopped, or what society tells us is beautiful is distorted  it’s important we talk to young girls. And let them know they are beautiful as they are.  They are bombarded with images of “ideal beauty”, from unrealistically airbrushed photo spreads and glossy magazine covers. For young women, low self-esteem can lead to poor choices that can sabotage success and interfere with their health.

According to Dove Global research:

*  72% of girls ages (10-17) feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful.(1)

*  Only 11% of girls ages (10-17) are comfortable using the word beautiful to describe themselves.(2)

*  When girls feel badly about their looks more than 60% globally (age 15-17) avoid normal daily activities including attending school, going to the doctor, or even giving their opinion.(3)

Dove believes beauty should be a source of confidence, not anxiety. Girls are listening – women just need to start the conversation. A simple act, such as starting a conversation about beauty, can make a world of difference. Dove is committed to inspiring all women and girls to reach their full potential. The Dove Movement for Self-Esteem opens up a world of opportunities for women to make a difference.

Ways you can be a positive influence in a young girls/woman’s life.

• Be a positive role model. Don’t talk negatively about your own body. Try not to be overly focused on your appearance.
• Don’t praise girls solely for their appearance. Praise should be focused on effort and accomplishments.Watch how you talk about other people: Are you judgmental of people’s appearances?
• Make sure you’re sending a message to your children/niece’s etc  that it’s what’s inside—especially how we treat others—that defines a person and makes us who we are.
• Watch your own stereotypes; let daughters help fix the kitchen sink and let sons help make dinner.
• Help girls avoid becoming obsessed with how they look. Counteract advertisers who take advantage of preteen and teenage girls by making them feel they need certain products to feel “cool.”

Vive Mejor Hablemos “Let’s Talk” is an initiative that Dove started to encourage young girls to be confident about being beautiful. 72% of young girls feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful according to Dove Global Research. What if you could take their opinion of what being beautiful is and replace it with something more meaningful? Would you do it?