Teen girls talk about eating disorders and body image in a new book. Esther Kane gathers troubled youth to speak out about their teenage years.
In a new book, troubled youth talk about eating disorders and body image. These teen girls speak honestly about issues related to growing up a teenager in this crazy world.
“I hope there’s no such thing as reincarnation because I wouldn’t want to come back and have to be a teenager all over again,” says author Esther Kane.
Being a teenager isn’t easy. It probably never has been, but with the proliferation of mixed messages in our society, it’s becoming more difficult for young people to build a real sense of themselves without the inundation of companies trying to define them with the latest products.
Esther Kane, MSW, RCC, has collected a delightful set of stories in her book, “What Your Mama Can’t or Won’t Teach You: Grown Women’s Stories of Their Teen Years.” The voices of 20 women are interweaved with each other to create a conversation-like book of women talking about their early struggles.
The issues discussed are diverse and cover so many things that affected the way they grew into adults. Their insight back into what shaped them the most is sometimes funny, other times heartbreaking and often poignant.
Esther interviewed these women on topics that she asked her teen clients they would most like to read about. What amassed is wisdom from a generation of women who survived and are willing to share their experiences to the youth of today.
Esther Kane, MSW, has a private counseling practice in Courtney, B.C. and has over a decade of experience counseling women and their loved ones. She helps girls and women to become free of barriers which keep them stuck so that they can become all that they dream of being.
The copyright of the article Teen Girls Talk Eating Disorders and Body Image in Eating Disorders is owned by Lori Henry. Permission to republish Teen Girls Talk Eating Disorders and Body Image in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Do you want know what bothers me? How so many people of all ages think that
uniforms are equalizers. I happen to love uniforms---but not because of the
reasons why they are put in schools. They say they put them in schools so
that everyone will be equal, and that no one will know who is poor and who
is rich. That is NOT TRUE. Rich kids will simply show their money in other
ways, from fancy designer purses to the coolest make-up and hair cuts. The
reasons why I happen to like uniforms is because kids don't have to think
"Oh no! I have absolutely nothing to wear!" They will already
have their outfit picked out for them. They don't have to worry if they
have an awesome sense of fashion or not. But they certainly don't make
people equal. I don't think anything does.
Aug 5, 2007 1:25 PM
Lori Henry :
I never grew up having to wear a school uniform, nor did I hang out with
anyone who did. In my dance school, though, a uniform was being implimented
as I was leaving and I was so strongly against it! I would wear colorful
socks or headbands to try and rebel. People will assert their own
style/wealth in smaller ways, it's true, no matter what the rules are. I do
agree with you in that it would have been easier to get to school in the
morning without needing to pick out an outfit, but I always liked the
freedom to choose my own clothes. I'm not really sure where I stand on the
issue, as I don't have much experience with it. Would you rather wear your
uniform or not have to?
Aug 7, 2007 4:59 AM
vicky ann smith :
I wore a uniform all through school, it's standard in the UK and I felt as
uncomfortable with myself as I did wearing my own clothes. It did make it
easier chosing what to wear five days of the week.
I have a
very smart uniform for work now (not many of us wear it properly though!)
and I'm glad to have something which allows me stand out from the
passengers.
It doesn't stop bullying or people confronting you
but I believe it does give a sense of belonging in a small way.
Vicky X
Aug 7, 2007 6:17 PM
Lori Henry :
Hmmm, great response Vicky Ann, thanks. I also worked at a place once where
I had to wear a uniform, which I hated. It always made me want to rip it
off and wear something outrageous. But I've also always loved expressing
myself through style. I guess it comes down to not being able to have 1
rule that fits everyone, we're all so different :)
Aug 8, 2007 9:43 AM
vicky ann smith :
I've had uniforms I've wanted to rip off too and I'm glad my train company
doesn't insist we wear hats!
I rebeled in school by not wearing
a tie for months and because no one expected me to break any rules I got
away with it. The smarter your uniform, the more intelligent you were seen
as, which I never agreed with. I think because we grow up from around 4/5
years old wearing a school uniform we get used to it and by 16, celebrate
not having to anymore (in most colleges).
Vx
Aug 9, 2007 6:09 PM
Lori Henry :
Ha ha, the only uniform I had to wear included a hat!!!
Aug 11, 2007 2:58 PM
vicky ann smith :
Only hours after the last post I saw an advert on TV for a clothing brand,
a supermarket stocking school uniform, the little boy is saying 'OK, we
have to make this uniform our own.'
It results in dirt! My
brother regularly came home covered in mud!
Vx
Aug 12, 2007 6:37 PM
Lori Henry :
Does mud count as an accessory?!
Mar 13, 2009 2:06 PM
Guest
:
you want to know what bothers me? they are only doing that to inpress
friends and boys. but guess what when your sick the only person that will
be there for you are the ones who really care and be surprised when its
only your mother and family. when you dont see NO friends and trust and
belive me every one has troubles with there apperience but the best thing
is to excercise and belive that you could make a change no need to hurt
your already besutiful body to get sick and stuff. Guess what i know all
that stuff and im 12.
Nov 20, 2006
