Body Image JSS2 Basic Science Lesson Note

BODY IMAGE

  Meaning of Body Image:

  Body image refers to the way a person feels about his or her physical appearance. 

  People have differences in their physical appearances, some of these are in terms of:

1. Height
2. Size or shape  of the body
3. Race or Ethnicity and
4. Colour of the skin, eye, and hair.

Life Span Continuum:

Life Span continuum refers to a series of similar events that take place throughout the length of time a person is likely to live. These events could be categorized into those that are emotional or developmental and those that are biological or reproductive.

Some of these events may be different within different cultures and from individuals;

•   Emotional Development: Body exploration including genitals (from a few months through adolescence)
•     Altitude Development; (either positive or negative) towards own body begins from a few months through ages(5-10)
•       Have a sense of being male or female (from 18 months on)
•       Enjoy touch (throughout life)
•     Becomes aware or curious about gender or body differences (ages 2 into young adulthood)
•       Mimic adult sexual behavior (age 3 through adolescence)
•       Able to have a child (11-12 until 45+)
•       Show strong interest in male/female gender roles that are often stereo-typed (5-6 through adolescence)
•       Many experiment with different sexual behavior (as young as 3-5 till death)
•       Ready to have a child (22+ for girls, 25 for boys)
•       Can no longer bear a child (menopause 45+ for women)
•       Have basic sexual orientation 18months and older.
•       Ready to marry.
•       Have friends of both sexes.
•       Face decision-making about sexual activity.
•       Feel awkward and wonder Am I normal? Puberty into young adulthood.
•       Strongly influenced by peer group.
•       Can get a sexually transmitted disease.
•       More stable in commitment and giving.
•       Go to work and take on responsibilities.

  Biological Reproductive

    Influenced  by;

        Ø Wet dreams (10-15yrs)

        Ø Male begins to produce sperm and semen 10-15yrs

        Ø Female able to get pregnant (10-13yrs)

        Ø Girls begin to menstruate (10-15yrs)

         Ø Female body shape changes (10-15yrs)

         Ø Male develop muscles (12-15yrs)

         Ø Menopause (45-55yrs)

         Ø Able to get sexually transmitted diseases STI (sexually transmitted infections including HIV –  birth and infancy). 

  Factors that influence individual sense of self-worth (Body image).

Body image means the way a person feels about his or her physical appearance. There are differences in the physical appearance of people which can be influenced by the following factors:

       i. Accepting one’s weakness and strength

       ii .Culture and tradition;

      iii Mass media

      iv. Religious teaching;

      v. Environment

      vi Gender;

       vii. Societal norms;

       viii. Individual achievements

      ix .Economic background; and

      x. Individual’s family

 PHYSICAL FEATURES

   Physical features or an individual’s appearance and attributes are inherited From parents or grandparents, this is called HEREDITY.

    Examples of traits usually inherited from parents or grandparents are

1. Skin colour
2. Hair
3. Eye colour
4. Shape of the body.
5. Height e.t.c.

Some of these differences may be valued while others may not. For example, a tall person may feel bad about his body, yet he cannot change his Height. In some cultures, a person with lighter colour may be given more privileges than someone with darker skin. Someone with darker skin may try to lighten his or her skin to feel better.