Start the Change - Letter to the Editor or Seventeen Magazine

RE:  Body Image in the Media

Bernadette,

I am writing you in regards to the messages you are sending teenage girls within the media.  Seventeen Magazine targets young adolescent girls from 12-20 years of age.  This is a pivotal time for girls in regards to body image, self-esteem and personal aspirations.  You have so much power to either have a positive or detrimental effect on girls. 

I remember as a teenager in high school reading your magazines.  I would stare at the models used and the famous stars depicted on the cover and wonder why I did not look like them.  I was a healthy 16 year old but still would never reach body perfection as shown in your magazines.  All throughout high school I suffered from a poor body image.  I am not saying that your magazine is what caused my insecurities about my body type but I do believe that the content in your magazines did influence it. 

I would like to suggest including women of different body types that all women could relate to in your magazine.  Show happy, healthy and curvy women in your magazines. The majority of girls reading your magazine do not fit the body type that you are displaying.  The average size of the models you use are 0-2 while in reality the average size of women in the United States is size 14.  This is huge difference in what the media is portraying of what women are suppose to look like in comparison to what real women look like. 

Another suggestion that I have for Seventeen Magazine is to include less superficial articles.  I would always read through the magazine and learn about the new trends, make-up tips and dating advice.  In my experience, the majority of the content is centered on outer beauty.  I strongly believe that the magazine should focus more on the inner beauty of each individual girl.  Include more articles about being a better friend, student and daughter not about being a better best kisser.  We need women in today’s society to focus their self-confidence on their character and not about the clothes, make-up or number of boyfriends they have.   

Seventeen has the resources and power to make a difference in the world of media.  Change how the world views beauty.  Beauty is an everyday woman who is strong, happy and independent.  We need to focus on the inner strength, kindness and sensitivity that women are innately given.  There are young girls everywhere that need to know that how they look is great and accepted in society.  Start the change!          

Sincerely,

Rachel Callister                

General Conference Preparation!

General Conference is this weekend!  It's always my favorite weekends of the year.  We are so blessed in our time and age to be able to hear men of God give us divine inspiration.  Every year I learn so much regarding myself, my personal testimony and church principles.  One way in which I prepare for Conference is by writing out three to five questions that I have been pondering recently.  They have varied from general explanations of church doctrine to personal guidance about important life decision.  Last year I asked the question if I should go on a humanitarian volunteer trip and received my answer clearly in Conference.  I know that if you ask, God will answer through the voice of his servants whether it is the answer you want or not.  I encourage others to have faith and ask specific questions that apply to their lives before you watch or attend General Conference.  Our Heavenly Father is aware of you and your needs and is just waiting to give you revelation regarding you life.    

Phillip Phillips Phever!

I lucked out in being able to go to the Phillip Phillips concert last Wednesday.  What a concert!  I am sad to admit that I was a bandwagoner with him in that I only knew one song of his called "Home" which is all over the radio.  I went into the concert feeling stressed about school, homework and upcoming finals but left feeling the exact opposite.  His music energized me!  I felt optimistic about the upcoming weeks.  Music is a powerful tool that can be used to benefit or detract from your personality. I am usually a pretty positive person but recently I have been a ball of stress.  Phillip Phillips music brought out my inner personality.  I left more relaxed and hopeful about the future.  If you haven't listened to any of his songs look him up on youtube.  He was the winner of American Idol in the 11th season (2012).  One of my favorite songs of his is called "Get Up Get Down."  I included it below so check it out!

 

Les Mis

I recently watched the movie "Les Mis".  I am a musical lover from the classics such as Sound of Music to the more recent like Phantom of the Opera.  I enjoyed the movie portrayal of the amazing play, "Les Mis."  I had recently saw the play version in Cedar City, UT at the Shakespearian Festival.  While the movie was good, it still did not exceed the play.  The singing in the play was a lot better.  In the movies defense, I did think that all of the movie actors did a relatively good job in singing considering the powerful acting they each did.  Overall, I loved the movie but the play was still better!

     

Women Speak Out!

In my Media and Human Development class we watched an intriguing documentary called Miss Representation.  It discussed all of the gender stereotypes about women and how, in consequence, they have influenced women's opportunities in society.  I was astounded by all of this information.  THe documentary gave me a whole new perspective on what it is to be a woman.  One area that particularly stood out to me was how we as women perpetuate the stereotypes about ourselves.  The video explained how women are constantly judged by other women about their appearance.  I realized that I am guilty of this and have now started to change my attitude toward my fellow women.  If you have any passion towards change is society for women please watch this.     

Humor U

I am always amazed at how many fun clubs and activities BYU facilitates on campus.  This past weekend I went with a friend to Humor U.  If you have never been before it is a club where students perform stand-up comedy routines.  The best part about it is all of the jokes are clean.  They even poke at LDS culture which was very entertaining.  The jokes vary from one lady who made jokes about her pregnancy to one man poking fun at how girls think everything is cuter in miniature form.  Overall, I was thoroughly entertained and was impressed at how funny people can still be without using crude humor. 

Downton Abbey

I finally suckered in and gave Downton Abbey a shot.  I am now obsessed.  I love the intense drama and the historical setting.  The only problem now is that netflix only has one season.  I would recommend Downton Abbey to anyone who is a fan of Pride & Prejudice or Sense & Sensibility.  This show has the same general feel as those two movies.