What is the Body Project, and why should I be a part of it?
Many of you may have seen the flyers on campus advertising the Body Project for women, and the Body Project: More Than Muscles for men, and asked yourself these two questions. The programs, co-sponsored by Student Counseling Services and Health Promotion and Wellness, are healthy body image and leadership programs designed for college students.
The programs, co-sponsored by Student Counseling Services and Health Promotion and Wellness, are healthy body image and leadership programs designed for college students.
The programs teach Illinois State men and women how to recognize that “appearance ideals”—the ultra-skinny, curves-in-only-the-right-places figure for females, and the ultra-muscular, extremely lean figure for males—are not realistic for the majority of people. Comparing ourselves to magazine models, or even our friends and fellow Redbirds, is damaging to everyone. Instead, the Body Project and Body Project: More Than Muscles teach students to appreciate body-shape diversity and how to respond to damaging appearance talk with peers and family.
Through activities and discussion, the two-session program teaches participants to how to improve their own body image and be empowered to evoke change on campus. Students who complete the Body Project may earn credit toward the Civic Engagement Pillar of the ISU Leads Program, earn extra course credit, and complete Greek Life requirements. More importantly, participants will develop the ability to gently challenge other students’ perspectives on the appearance ideal and help create a more positive body image culture on campus.
So, if you are wondering whether you should participate in the Body Project, know that by participating, you are helping yourself and the entire Illinois State community. You are directly assisting in changing the way we look at people. And, finally, you are doing your part to ensure that the unrealistic standards of beauty in today’s society change.
Find out more or register today!
