Juneau Resnick

Girls, have you ever been really insecure about your body and felt worthless? If you didn’t say yes, you’re probably lying to yourself… Not that I blame you, but every girl has been there, and some still are– especially teenagers, like myself. It’s high time we address this issue head-on. We need to feel comfortable and proud of who we are!

I know it’s hard looking at other pretty, thin, stylish girls and being envious of them. Here’s a little secret, though: She feels the same way you do.

According to mirror-mirror.org, “Over 50% of 9 and 10-year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet.” I’ll bet that some of those girls are starving themselves to get thinner, which is decreasing their nutrient intake. See what I’m saying, being insecure can be fatal! Even in my favorite TV show, Glee, we see a girl in glee club faint during a performance because she was starving herself.

If you think this is bad, it’s only the beginning. I see it all the time. The mean girl body shames other girls and it turns into an awful cycle. The bullied girls feel so bad about themselves afterward, that they can fall into depression and begin cutting, throwing up, or even commit suicide.

“An eating disorder service for children as young as eight has launched in Greater Manchester following a sharp rise in cases”, says Manchester Evening News. It happens everywhere, to everyone. “Youngsters battling anorexia, bulimia and other conditions can now access treatment at home or in the community,” says Manchester Evening News. You see it on the news at least once a week. It’s not something you joke about, and yet… It still happens.

Be proud of who you are and don’t let anyone tell you how to act or look or do anything. Stand up, speak up. Be heard, be tough, be YOU.

This is the only way to prevent this from happening again, be proud of who you are, show compassion and kindness. Be there for those around you and stand up to those who try to tear you down.