[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E253-E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     MEDIA IMAGES THAT DETRIMENTALLY AFFECT MANY GIRLS' SELF-ESTEEM

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                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
address an issue that many girls struggle with well into adulthood: 
media images that detrimentally affect their self-esteem.
  We all know how important it is to help raise our young women to 
become able, self-confident people, for their own sake and for the 
benefit of our society.

[[Page E254]]

  We have about 30 million girls under the age of 20 living in the 
United States. Thirty million wonderful and beautiful people, full of 
creativity, energy and dreams. Yet these girls face a struggle with 
unrealistic beauty and body image standards.
  Findings from a recent survey conducted by the Girl Scout Research 
Institute show that 90 percent of girls feel pressure from the media to 
have an ideal body type. Ninety percent. As a result, their self-
esteem, their body image, and their psychological and physical health 
are damaged when they do not measure up to these unrealistic beauty 
standards.
  We must elevate girls' voices and concerns. Our daughters and 
granddaughters need to see more girl-positive media, more natural and 
real female role models instead of touched-up, airbrushed models.
  The Girl Scouts of America on February 10, 2010--the eve of fashion 
week--hosted an event in New York City promoting messages that feature 
girls and women who have healthy, diverse body images and participate 
in respectful and healthy relationships. I commend the Girl Scouts for 
the important work they do in creating a healthy environment for young 
girls and women.
  Our support on this issue will help support girls' physical, 
emotional, and social health. Let us join the Girl Scouts in empowering 
girls to live healthy lives and become tomorrow's leaders with courage, 
confidence, and character.

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