The Dove Self-Esteem Project is on a mission to highlight self-confidence as the source of beauty, not outward appearances, and societal standards. With the global mission of reaching ¼ billion young people by 2030, everyone can play a role in increasing body confidence and self-esteem in the lives of youth. Curricula like Dove Self-Esteem Project’s, Confident Me, My Hair My Crown, Proud to Be and Celebrándome present free and easily accessible turnkey lessons and activities. The ability to educate communities and students can be as easy as a click of a button. Implementation of Dove-Self Esteem Project’s programs in schools can be the starting point of building relationships with youth beyond grades and report cards. This approach enables educators to holistically speak to the needs of their students, while creating an environment that stabilizes best practices in body image, self-esteem and allyship.
In an ever-changing world, our youth must be aware that manipulation of body images and standards can impact their conscious thoughts about themselves and others. Studies say by the 6th grade, 40%-70% of students (all genders) dislike their bodies and engage in unhealthy practices to alter the way they look. These emotions and feelings compound into actions that limit our youth’s possibilities for self-actualization. Some may think, why does it matter that schools implement curriculum regarding these matters? The CDC stated that students who are bullied are often bullied based on their appearance. Female students report higher numbers of bullying through social media, and insults about their sex, race/ethnicity, and grade level. As a school community, we must understand that an unintentional consequence of attending school for at least 22% of our students is bullying and body shaming. With that sense of awareness, we must educate youth on the importance of their own body confidence and allyship towards those who may be different. As educators, parents, and concerned citizens we must be open to listening and learning.
Programs like My Hair My Crown and Celebrándome provide lessons on body confidence that meet the needs, culture, and nuances of being a Black or brown student. My Hair My Crown uses sessions to help, “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.”Celebrándome presents sessions that focus on body confidence and self-esteem within the LatinX/HIspanic community. These intentional lessons and activities empower students of diverse ethnicities and provide perspective for those who may not fall within the group. Proud to Be Me pinpoints lessons and activities tailored to support body confidence in LGBTQ2+ youth while also teaching allyship to peers. The Dove Self-Esteem project understands that no matter the ethnicity or gender, we all find ourselves needing support and a community that understands our needs. The Dove Self-Esteem Project highlights possibilities for educators to speak with life and substance surrounding the importance of body confidence and self-esteem. With programs from the Dove Self-Esteem Project, educators forward the march to healthy, safe, engaged, challenged, and supported school communities.
Dove Bowl:
“It’s the Hard Knock Life” Super Bowl LVIII Commercial
The Dove Self-Esteem Project scored big during this year’s Super Bowl with their “It’s The Hard Knock Life” commercial, promoting the #LetsKeepHerConfident campaign. Over 123 million people tuned in to watch the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers, with a 7% increase in viewership. Front Office Sports, estimated that girls ages 12-17 watched the big game at an increase of 11% this year. With the growing viewership, Dove forwarded the progress introducing h Body Confident Sports Program, co-developed with Nike. This is an intentional effort to create a culture where female athletes feel confident in their skills and are supported no matter the adversity they may face. Coaches play a major role in supporting their student-athletes. Every athlete takes into consideration the culture, views, and insight of a coach, this is why coaches should be given these resources. By starting with the transformative leader of the unit, resources can create environments in which female athletes excel in athletics and their whole selves. The Dove Self-Esteem Project is a small solution to a complex issue. However, the compound efforts can create opportunities for female athletes to excel higher than ever.
Spreading Dove Love:
Students participated in this body confidence, self-esteem and self-love activity named “Love Letter to Myself”. Yvette Perryman-Brown M.Ed., hosts a monthly group named Dove Girls that have created a space for girls to educate, uplift and support each other as female students. Their activities incorporate the importance of caring for oneself as we care for others. Creating spaces like the Dove Girls can grow self-actualization and empower students to be their best selves.
Dove Self-Esteem Project at SHAPE Cleveland:
It’s very fitting that Cleveland is the Rock Capital of the country, Dove Self-Esteem Project will participate at SHAPE America Cleveland March 12-16, 2024. The weeklong SHAPE America National Convention & Expo is the country’s leading professional development event for health and physical education professionals. The Cairn Guidance team will be exhibiting along with presenting on the Dove Self-Esteem Project programs including Body Confident Sport and Confident Me. #SHAPECleveland is a great opportunity to spread awareness of body confidence and body talk. Creating access points for these programs can start in classrooms, gyms, nature, or the intentional environments you create. The Dove Self-Esteem Project can’t wait to rock out SHAPE Cleveland!
Leave a Reply