Dear Teentalker,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns.
Teen years are an important and an interesting phase of life because that is when you are discovering so many things about yourself, establishing your own identity and also trying to understand the world outside. In the process, you have to deal with issues pertaining to relationships, peer pressure and body image. Problems related to appearance usually become a bigger deal when you enter your teens as compared to when you were younger. The very aspect of your appearance that did not bother you earlier, suddenly becomes a matter of concern.....
Dear Teentalker,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns.
Teen years are an important and an interesting phase of life because that is when you are discovering so many things about yourself, establishing your own identity and also trying to understand the world outside. In the process, you have to deal with issues pertaining to relationships, peer pressure and body image. Problems related to appearance usually become a bigger deal when you enter your teens as compared to when you were younger. The very aspect of your appearance that did not bother you earlier, suddenly becomes a matter of concern (for example), when you're a teenager (for example, the colour of your skin) because now you're being compared with other teens of your age by your friends and elders as well. Also, thanks to the culture we live in, there are certain stereotypes that are deeply rooted in our society; like, for example, 'Fair skinned people are good looking, dark-skinned people are not.' The other stereotype that runs deeply in our culture is that people who have sharp features are considered better looking as compared to others. Fortunately, all of that is changing slowly but surely, though things will take time.
So, to be perceived as good looking by others, you, first need to be comfortable with your own identity. You can start by working on the tools, 'You are so worth it'; 'Thank you Dear Body' and 'Boost your self-esteem' by visiting the toolbox tab.
In order to know more about dealing with dark skinned complexion and how stereotypes are slowly being shattered in the process, please read the article on 'Facing up to your skin colour' under the tab on Body Image and Self-Esteem.
Hope this helps, if you have any other query do connect online for chat between 11am-8pm or drop us an offline message.
Regards,
Expert Teentalk India
