Physical Appearance

Show the class the following pictures.  Ask them to write down their assumptions about what kind of a person each of these people are.  For example: nice, cares about people, unhappy, smart, mean, uneducated, poor, wealthy. 

 

Explain to the class that people make judgements about others to protect themselves.  We are taught from birth to look for certain characteristics in people who are going to treat us nicely.

Labeling others is an instict.  We need to be aware of it so we can control our reaction to others.

Post the following questions on the board or read them aloud.

Ask students to silently reflect on them:

• Have you ever been on the receiving end of a cruel comment about your physical appearance?

• Have others let you know, in some way, that you’re not good looking enough?

• Do you find clothes shopping unpleasant because of fears about how others will judge you?

• Have you ever skipped an activity to avoid comments about your appearance?

• Do you think often about dieting because of comments about your weight?

• Have you considered changing your hair or other aspects of your appearance to look better to others?

• Have you ever made cruel comments to others about their appearance?

Point out that, unfortunately, most of us would answer yes to at least one of the questions above.

Name-calling about physical appearance—such as body size or shape, skin complexion, or facial features—is terribly cruel, yet all too common. 

-Challenge students to look for the POSITIVE characteristics in everyone.

see Realtional Bullying or Healthy Relationships