Childhood Body Shaming: Childhood is that time when everything said goes straight from the heart to the mind. Especially when these words are about our body. Be it lines spoken jokingly, taunts heard during a scolding, or a comment given “for your own good”, these acts of body shaming may seem small at the time, but their impact follows for years. Experts believe that negative comments received in childhood become a part of our thinking and as we grow up, they start influencing our confidence, decisions and behavior unknowingly. This is the reason why many people are still unable to accept themselves completely.
These 8 comments heard in childhood hurt our hearts a lot-
“You are very fat”
This word is often heard from parents or friends in school. Its impact on children is profound. Psychologists say that this affects the child’s self-esteem and they Always feel inferior in the eyes of others.
“Why are you so thin?”
Similarly, “Why are you so thin?”, “Why is your waist so big?” Comments like this also create insecurity in children. This is not just a comment on physical characteristics, but also affects their self-confidence and social behavior. Young children often take these comments seriously and even as they grow up They remain afraid and worried about their body image.
“You can’t run” or “Why are you so slow?”
During sports or activities “Why do you run so slow?” Such words hurt the self-confidence of children. This can prevent them from participating in physical activities and challenges.
“Why is your complexion so dark?”
Comments made about face, hands, legs or complexion – such as ““Your face is big.”,why is it so black– Creates a feeling in the minds of children that they consider themselves inferior to others. Apart from this, constant comparison like “how small are the hands and legs” makes the child unhappy with himself. Due to which he starts comparing himself with others.
“The waist is too big”
Such a thing fills the child’s mind with shame about the body. She starts feeling that her body is wrong. Its effect is that he becomes afraid of eating, judges himself again and again and Start considering fitness as a punishment. This increases stress and insecurity.
“The eyes are too big” or “The nose is weird”
Such things hurt the child’s self-confidence more than his face. Such comments teach him to doubt his identity. The effect is that the child is unable to accept himself, self-doubt increases and he starts feeling shy in front of others.
“Your voice is not right”
Hearing such things, the child becomes afraid to express himself. He begins to feel that speaking is shameful. Gradually he starts remaining silent and even after growing up, he hesitates in expressing his views. Its effect is visible in the form of fear, hesitation and low confidence in public speaking.
“You are very weak.”
Such a line inculcates the belief in the child’s mind that he is weaker than others. Gradually the child starts doubting himself. The effect of this is that he becomes afraid to try new things, take risks and show his potential, due to which the confidence keeps falling.
According to psychologists, these things said in childhood may seem trivial at that time, but with time they become deeply ingrained in the mind. Growing up, these words can give rise to anxiety, low confidence, social insecurity and feelings of inferiority.
