Body Image – JSS2 Basic Science Lesson Note (First Term)

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

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of body image;
2. list ways in which people differ in physical appearance;
3. describe the life span continuum and name some emotional and biological events in it;
4. list factors that influence a person’s body image;
5. explain heredity and give examples of inherited traits.

What is body image?

Body image is the way a person feels about his or her physical appearance, and it is also part of a person’s sense of self-worth.

• Self-worth: how much a person values himself or herself.
• Positive body image: a person feels comfortable with his or her body.
• Negative body image: a person feels unhappy about his or her body.

In what ways do people differ in physical appearance?

People differ in at least four main ways: height, size or shape of the body, race or ethnicity, and colour of the skin, eyes and hair.

1. Height: some people are tall, some are of medium height and some are short.
2. Size or shape of the body: some people are slim, some are stout and some are muscular.
3. Race or ethnicity: people belong to different racial and ethnic groups.
4. Colour of skin, eyes and hair: these vary from person to person.

What is the life span continuum?

The life span continuum is a series of similar events that take place throughout the length of time a person is likely to live.

• Emotional or developmental events: events in feelings, attitudes and behaviour.
• Biological or reproductive events: events in the body, especially those linked to reproduction.
• Note: some events differ between cultures and between individuals.

What are the emotional and developmental events?

Emotional and developmental events are changes in feelings, attitudes and behaviour that happen at different ages.

Other emotional and developmental events

• Being ready to marry: a stage of adult life.
• Having friends of both sexes: friendships widen as a person grows.
• Facing decisions about sexual activity: a young person must choose wisely.
• Being strongly influenced by the peer group: friends of the same age affect choices.
• Being able to get a sexually transmitted disease: a health risk to be understood and avoided.
• Being more stable in commitment and giving: a mark of adulthood.
• Going to work and taking on responsibilities: a mark of adulthood.

What are the biological and reproductive events?

Biological and reproductive events are physical changes in the body that happen at certain ages.

• Menstruation: the monthly flow of blood from the womb of a girl or woman.
• Menopause: the time when a woman stops menstruating and can no longer bear a child.

What factors influence body image?

Ten factors influence body image: accepting one’s weakness and strength, culture and tradition, mass media, religious teaching, environment, gender, societal norms, individual achievements, economic background and the individual’s family.

1. Accepting one’s weakness and strength: a person who accepts both feels better about the body.
2. Culture and tradition: a people’s customs shape what they see as good looks.
3. Mass media: television, films, newspapers, magazines and the internet show images that people compare themselves with.
4. Religious teaching: beliefs affect how people see and treat the body.
5. Environment: the place where a person lives and grows up.
6. Gender: males and females may be expected to look different.
7. Societal norms: the accepted standards of the community.
8. Individual achievements: success can raise a person’s self-worth.
9. Economic background: the wealth of a person’s home can affect how he or she feels.
10. The individual’s family: comments and attitudes at home affect the child.

What is heredity?

Heredity is the passing of physical features from parents or grandparents to children.

• Physical features: an individual’s appearance and attributes.
• Inherited traits: features a child receives from parents or grandparents.

What are examples of inherited traits?

1. Skin colour: a child’s skin is often like that of a parent or grandparent.
2. Hair: its colour and texture.
3. Eye colour: usually passed down in the family.
4. Shape of the body: body build can run in families.
5. Height: tall parents often have tall children.

Why can inherited features affect body image?

People cannot change inherited features, yet some features are valued more than others.

• Height: a tall person may feel bad about his body, yet he cannot change his height.
• Skin colour: in some cultures, a person with lighter skin may be given more privileges than someone with darker skin.
• Skin lightening: a person with darker skin may try to lighten his or her skin to feel better.

Evaluation

1. What is body image?
2. State four ways in which people differ in physical appearance.
3. What is the life span continuum?
4. List five factors that influence body image.
5. What is heredity? Give three examples of inherited traits.

Assignment

Answer both parts in your exercise book:

1. List the biological and reproductive events that happen between the ages of 10 and 15 years.
2. Explain with an example why a person may feel bad about a physical feature he or she cannot change.