Is it just me, or is there something fundamentally troubling about a company offering to Photoshop children’s school photos? I’m relieved to know I’m not alone in this. Let’s dive into this issue.
Questioning the Norm
How in the world did anyone think it’s appropriate to include a “photo retouching” option in an ELEMENTARY school picture package? Our kids are already inundated with the message that they need to be “better” in so many ways—smarter, skinnier, prettier. Do we really need to add, “Oh, and by the way, your teeth could use some whitening too!”?
Seriously, where is the voice of reason? When do parents or guardians step in during these meetings about marketing to children and families? Why isn’t someone saying, “Hey folks, maybe we shouldn’t give kids the idea that we can just airbrush away their imperfections”? Because A: Nobody is perfect, B: The idea of perfection is a myth, and C: THEY’RE JUST KIDS FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!
The Impact on Children
My son has special needs, and often his school picture shows him with his assistive devices. Are they going to ‘retouch’ it to remove those? What about children who have just lost teeth? If they can add teeth back into photos, I might just go back and have them redo all of my school pictures from kindergarten through high school because I had quite a gap myself!
Kidding aside, I’ve come to embrace my imperfections as part of who I am, not something to hide. I would never encourage my child, or any child, to consider retouching their school pictures. This is the time in their lives when they should be focused on fun things—like science projects and lunch table dynamics—not worrying about a blemish or the color of their teeth.
Embracing Individuality
And for those who might argue that it’s harder to be a kid today because of social media, let me remind you: being a kid has always been tough! I grew up in the 80s and faced my fair share of challenges. I had oversized glasses, a questionable hairstyle, and a tooth gap that made me a target for teasing. But I also had a mother who showered me with love, reminding me that true beauty comes from within, and she never let me hide from the world.
We should not give our kids the option to hide either. Instead, we should be encouraging them to embrace their individuality and to stand tall in the face of adversity.
A Call to Action
So, to the company offering to retouch photos, thanks but no thanks. I won’t be participating in that. And to parents considering this option, think carefully about the message you’re sending to your children. It’s more about celebrating their uniqueness than conforming to an unrealistic standard.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let’s support our children in being true to themselves rather than creating a facade that implies they need to be “perfect.”
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