The Representation Project Announces #BuildConfidence Campaign

The Representation Project is launching the #BuildConfidence campaign today to celebrate and empower mothers, caregivers, and mentors who model positive self-esteem and body image. The #BuildConfidence campaign comes on the heels of new research showing that body image issues originate well before adolescence and that mothers are pivotal in instilling confidence in their children.

The Representation Project partnered with TWTW Companies to further explore these issues, surveying 500 women nationwide with daughters ages zero to ten years old. Questions focused on personal body image and how mothers feel this will affect their daughters. Highlights from the full report titled “Mothers, Daughters & Body Image” include:

• 84% of mothers say too much emphasis is placed on physical beauty for women and girls and 65% think it is likely their daughter will struggle with her body image at some point.
• 90% of respondents have struggled with body image themselves with 51% having negative thoughts about their body at least once a day.
• 54% said they would feel like a failure if their daughter grew up to feel about her body the way she (the mother) does, but only 33% have addressed body image directly or indirectly with their daughters.

To address these startling statistics, The Representation Project is publishing the #BuildConfidence Toolkit, helping mothers and caregivers proactively build positive self-esteem and body image with their children. The kit features helpful tips and resources developed in partnership with Common Sense Media, Dove Self-Esteem Project, and Girls Leadership Institute. The Representation Project is providing the #BuildConfidence Toolkit to mothers and caregivers free of charge as a gift on Mother’s Day.

To kick off the campaign, The Representation Project is hosting a Twitter chat on Friday May 8 at 1 PM EST. The chat will celebrate mothers and caregivers for instilling positive self-esteem and body confidence in their children by asking such questions as, “How did you mom/caregiver teach you to love your body?” and as “What makes your mom awesome?”

The #BuildConfidence campaign premieres with an original video from Jennifer Siebel Newsom. In the coming months, it will also highlight the importance of fathers, caregivers, and other mentors.

More information can be found at therepresentationproject.org/buildconfidence.