Countless studies in the past and present have pointed to the statement that teenage girls suffer more from depression than their male counterparts. In this essay, I plan on discussing why a teenage girl’s poor body-image can ultimately lead to depression during her high school years. This essay will explore different research studies that are dedicated to the subject as well as an overview of how the media can ultimately affect the way a teenage girl feels about herself. Finally, I will offer solutions to this upsetting problem which could be beneficial in increasing confidence and a higher self-esteem in young women. During puberty, both boys and girls experience a plethora of changes in their bodies. Some changes, like growth spurts, oilier
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Pine, and Ajay K. Thapar thoroughly discuss the manifestation of depression and its causes specifically in young women. In “Depression in Adolescents” it is mentioned that there are no sex differences in depression in children. However, a substantial difference occurs as adolescence begins. Their reasoning for this sudden gap between depression in boys and girls has been stated as, “The most commonly postulated contributors are puberty and brain and cognitive maturation. They include enhanced social understanding and self-awareness, changes in brain circuits involved in responses to reward and danger, and increased reported stress levels, especially in girls” (Thapar et …show more content…
Studies have shown that when asked to make an academic ideal self, adolescents showed an improvement in classroom behavior and a decrease in depression (Arnett 151). However, it is also easy for a young girl to feel swamped by the feelings of all of her possible different selves swarming around and absolutely no idea how to achieve them. Depression can heighten when such personal stress is combined with the often less than ideal bodily changes that puberty brings.
In an Australian study discussed in our text book, “Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood”, it found that late teens and early emerging adults seemed to have “grand dreams” about their future (Arnett 151). Perhaps some want to become super models or rock stars. Maybe others want a career on the big screen or stage and, of course, make tons of money! With such big dreams that are highly unlikely, disappointment can take place when one realizes that maybe they are not cut out for Hollywood or a spot in New York Fashion
Pine, and Ajay K. Thapar thoroughly discuss the manifestation of depression and its causes specifically in young women. In “Depression in Adolescents” it is mentioned that there are no sex differences in depression in children. However, a substantial difference occurs as adolescence begins. Their reasoning for this sudden gap between depression in boys and girls has been stated as, “The most commonly postulated contributors are puberty and brain and cognitive maturation. They include enhanced social understanding and self-awareness, changes in brain circuits involved in responses to reward and danger, and increased reported stress levels, especially in girls” (Thapar et …show more content…
Studies have shown that when asked to make an academic ideal self, adolescents showed an improvement in classroom behavior and a decrease in depression (Arnett 151). However, it is also easy for a young girl to feel swamped by the feelings of all of her possible different selves swarming around and absolutely no idea how to achieve them. Depression can heighten when such personal stress is combined with the often less than ideal bodily changes that puberty brings.
In an Australian study discussed in our text book, “Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood”, it found that late teens and early emerging adults seemed to have “grand dreams” about their future (Arnett 151). Perhaps some want to become super models or rock stars. Maybe others want a career on the big screen or stage and, of course, make tons of money! With such big dreams that are highly unlikely, disappointment can take place when one realizes that maybe they are not cut out for Hollywood or a spot in New York Fashion