Yes! We Are For Boys Too

Lots of times I am asked if Self-ValYOU is just for girls, or teens, and the answer is NO. Boys, and older people, have bodies too! Self image is a universal issue. That's why I was so happy a few weeks ago to see an article in my hometown magazine about BOYS and body image! It is an article by Dr. Russell Hyken who is a psychotherapist. Dr. Hyken talks about how little attention is being given to young men in the growing body positivity movement but they need it too because 30 percent of teen boys have exercised with the goal to be "bigger" and that 25 percent of normal weight men perceive themselves to be underweight. So, for men, the challenge is sort of the opposite of young women, who often want to look "thin." Social media affects them just like it does girls. Dr. Hyken definitely recommends a Self-ValYOU approach and says that boys should focus on what their body CAN do instead what it can't or that it isn't strong enough, or big enough, or muscular enough. If boys don't have positive body image and self-esteem, they are at risk for depression and anxiety like girls.

I am so glad to see this article and how it points out that positive image is just as important for boys as it is girls! You can see the article at https://www.laduenews.com/business/columns/hyken-s-homework-body-positivity-for-boys/article_38add7e6-30df-5901-b431-ecf4d6d3b5e6.html .