This document discusses body image issues that young girls face due to media influences. It notes that 51% of 9-10 year old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet, and 80% of women feel insecure due to images of women in various media. The average model is thinner than 98% of American women. The document proposes a program at Rutgers University where elementary and middle school girls would participate in interactive workshops about confidence and body image. The program would be run by college students for credit, with a graduate student overseeing. It provides a proposed budget and calls for starting the class at Rutgers to help address these important issues.

1. Body Image for Girls Melanie MacDonald

2. Body Image and the Media 51% of 9 and 10 year old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet 80% of women say that the images of women on television and in movies, fashion magazines, and advertising makes them feel insecure

4. How often do you see this? What message does this give to young girls today? (Glee cast)

5. Dove Campaign: Model of success http://youtu.be/Ei6JvK0W60I

6. Model of Success Dove campaign for real beauty workshops BODYTHINK

7. The average American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 140 pounds, while the average American model is 5'11" tall and weighs 117 pounds. Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women

8. Why Does This Matter? It affects so many young girls Media influence is evident and negative

9. Girls Across NJ Organize field trips to Rutgers University to participate in an interactive confidence boosting program Elementary schools and middle schools across NJ within a 1hr distance from Rutgers University Ages approximately from 7-14 (grades 2-8)

10. Program Play readings Interactive Workshop Body Outlaws: The Monologues Preformed by college students for credit Questions Small groups College leader per each small group

11. How Does This Work? College Credit given as elective or independent study from Women and Gender Studies Department Graduate Student employed to oversee and grade college students

12. Budget Marketing: no cost- email, poster, and college description in scheduling booklets Graduate Assistant: $25,161 Class costs: $400

13. Make change Start this class at Rutgers University

14. Works Cited Youtube Dove campaign video: http://youtu.be/Ei6JvK0W60I BODYTHINK Dove Campaign: http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com.au/dove-self-esteem-fund/body-think.asp Kristen Harrison and Veronica Heffner. “Media Exposure, Current, and Future Body Ideals, and Disordered Eating Among Preadolescent Girls: A Longitudinal Panel Study.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence 35.2 (2006): 146. Criminal Justice Periodicals, ProQuest. Web. 21 Mar. 2011. (http://uhr.rutgers.edu/comp/AAUPFacultyMinimumSalSched.htm