by Cheryl W.
Member since:
December 10, 2005

Teenage Makeovers: What do They Teach?

January 05, 2007 12:06 AM EST
views: 55 | comments: 16

Today I was flipping channels on the television, and saw a talk show where the topic was make-overs.  Parents had taken their "geeky" looking teenagers who had no friends and put them on the show for a make-over.  The results were amazing.  The kids did not look anything like they did before the make-over.  They went from "geek" to "cool" in the matter of a few hours.  The parents were gushing about how good they looked now.  Several companies had sent in gifts to the teenagers to celebrate their new look.

On the surface, it all looked great.  But I have to wonder.  What would it be like to have a complete transformation in such a short time?  Regardless of the outward change, the person is still the same person inside.  These teenagers had a rather overwhelmed look on their faces.  They were smiling, but they seemed a bit taken aback at the extreme reaction of everyone around them.  Could it be that inside they were screaming, "But I'm still me!  I'm still the same person I was when I looked like a Geek....and you paid me no attention then."

Are we doing these teenagers a disservice?  Are we teaching them to be superficial? Or are we teaching them a harsh reality that they need to know...that looks DO matter in everything from looking for a job to finding a date.  I would love to hear some opinions on this.

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Comments: 16

Marsha F. Jan 5, 2007, 12:26am EST
What it's teaching them is that they have to look like all the young celebrities, wear all the RIGHT clothes, and get their hair done just the RIGHT way, or even their parents don't care too much for them.

And if they feel that's how they have to look, they probably expect that's how they should act. And I don't know about you, but I haven't seen ONE young woman on the magazines that I'd want my granddaughters to emulate!

A few self-esteem classes should come first. Let these kids know they matter, teach them they can contribute to the community. If they want a makeover, after they feel ok without one, then give them the makeover.

Sorry. I just get riled on this topic. Don't even get me started on little girls in slutty clothes!! We'll be here all night!
Cheryl W. Jan 5, 2007, 12:30am EST
Marsha...I agree with you. We are teaching our children that what they look like is more important than who they are on the inside. Its a very sad commentary on our society
Jennifer K. Jan 5, 2007, 12:30am EST
Well I know when my daughter got her first brassiere and was so embarrassed we balanced that with pedicures. We don't really do make-up in this house, but for her birthday I am thinking she and I might take some belly dancing instruction! She will be 13, and seems pretty keen on the idea. So to me, doing something that will enhance her beauty AND awareness of her body seems far more beneficial than telling her she is anything but perfect without having to pull beauty out of a plastic case. That's just me though!
Robin"Buffy's Stunt Double" D. Jan 5, 2007, 12:49am EST
It starts so young now-trying to get this mentality of having to be "better" in some way.
Carol Roach Jan 5, 2007, 1:46am EST
I don't think it does any good for anyone's self esteem
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jan 5, 2007, 1:57am EST
I think it all depends on how you do this. Both of my daughters were attractive and confident, but I still enrolled them in modeling classes and took them for make-overs. The benefit I see is that they learn how to apply make-up without looking like they are wearing make-up (don't judge by Lyrical's last photo - that's not what she wears in public) and the clothes/colors that work well with their shape and skin tones. I don't think it is about being beautiful, like everyone else, or superficial. Handled correctly, it is about drawing out the inner self and just knowing. Anyone who is comfortable in just knowing the self has a headstart, in my opinion.
**AngelEyez** a. Jan 5, 2007, 2:41am EST
its sad how these parents do this.. I mean what are they telling thier child that they are ugly and happy now thier not??? its thier blood.. some people really suprise me.and in the end these kids will remember what happend and what thier parents thoughts were.. how sad
Larry H. Jan 5, 2007, 9:33am EST
When I was growing up I didn't have the fancy clothes to wear, fancy tennis shoe, lucky if I had any tennis shoes to wear at all. I wanted school jacket so bad, parents took us kid out to get new coats. I got a coat of many colors. It was orange, black, white, and blue. One of Larry's on the Bob Newhart show had a coat just like it. Hated that coat, it cost more than the school jacket I wanted. Still hate that coat, don't even have it anymore and still hate it. Didn't wear it much, got teased. I told everyone I had every school color there was in that coat. I didn't feel well of myself back then, dress in hand me downs. Got new clothes three time a year. At the beginning of the school year, Easter and of course Christmas. I'd better make them last too. Didn't have many friends either, still don't have a lot of friends that I get with.
jessie voigts Jan 5, 2007, 10:52am EST
i think it is sad, what they did. it would be different if a kid asked for help with their appearance. i am always telling lillie that being beautiful on the inside is more important than on the outside. itis true, though, that attractive people have an easier time of it. oh, man, i am so glad i didn't see that show. i would have been annoyed all day!
Carolyn M. Jan 5, 2007, 11:09am EST
I think they are teaching, style over substance, for example, outward "beauty" over the inward beauty of a person, morals, values, things like that. Nothing wrong with styling your hair up a bit, or putting on a bit of makeup, it's just too bad that nowadays the focus usually seems to be on a persons outward appearance.
Sylvia Samaniego Jan 5, 2007, 12:53pm EST
Unfortunately, the world is based on looks-ism. In order to be accepted you must present yourself in the most positive way. In my opinion what the makeover did was give these kids a chance to be in the running as opposed to being the geek outsider. Life is tough enough for teens so any little thing that can be done to make it easier for them should be done. We all know how cruel other kids can be. They are not going to take the time to discover another kids inward beauty unless they accept them first. Not the way it should be but definitely the way it is. We are all guilty of trying to improve ourselves both mentality and physically. There is nothing wrong with that. Why would we not want to do the same for our children?
Cat Givens Jan 5, 2007, 1:02pm EST
I feel several ways about this.
Firstly, there is nothing wrong with looking non-geeky, but geeky is also just fine.
If the kids liked it, good.....
That said, it is what's inside that is important. Interestingly, many never get to see what's inside because they cannot see past the difference of appearance.
Connie C. Jan 6, 2007, 2:20am EST
It is just a media stunt to get teens to purchase make up and such. I wish people would ralize that looks are only skin deep. If they had no true friends before the make over - they will still have no true friends with the make over.
Carolyn K. Jan 21, 2007, 5:32pm EST
Makeovers only benefit the advertisers in the end. You can lead a teenager to the right fashions but you can't make them continue to wear them.

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