What's Happening in Northvale, NJ…

Danielle Walker, a women's studies professor, recently spoke to a group about the issue of young women’s perception of their bodies at the Northvale Public Library

The workshop addressed the idea that girls are becoming more aware of body image at an earlier age than ever before. In order to help young girls cultivate a positive image of themselves.

Walker notes that young girls are focusing on their body image at a younger age than ever before, which does them a disservice. She adds that the way in which the media women is likely to be one reason for girls' preoccupation of their body image.

Walker gave her presentation on October 27, and asked 14 girls from Northvale to share what they thought about their bodies, and posed the question of whether girls and boys think differently about their bodies. She also discussed inner beauty and the self-confidence such thinking can engender.

Walker said that while it is wonderful for the girls to have positive thoughts about their bodies, they have to realize they also have brains, personalities, and spirits, and so Walker shifted the focus away from body image as the workshop ends.

The library could consider working with Walker to create a brochure or pamphlet about body image, and have it available for library patrons.