Teachers look to C&T brands for help with teen issues
National Schools Partnership publishes results of body image study
Teachers in the UK require more assistance and better resources when dealing with teen body image, according to a new survey by National Schools Partnership, which found teachers open to the concept of brand manufacturers helping to fill the gaps in their education toolkit. A total of 29% of participating teachers found serious gaps in resources for science and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) education classes covering puberty, with lesson plans failing to delve far enough into important issues and eight out of ten teachers (84%) said they would value support and resources from brands relevant to body image.
The findings also revealed that teenage anxieties surrounding body image have worsened in the past five years, with the biggest fears focusing on overall physical attractiveness and pressures relating to the competitive and comparative nature of social networking.
C&T brands are becoming increasingly involved with teen self-esteem initiatives. Last year, Alberto Culver’s Simple collaborated with the PSHE Association on The Simple Wellbeing Challenge, which encouraged girls in participating schools to surrender their make-up and styling tools for three months. Meanwhile conglomerate Johnson & Johnson worked alongside National Schools Partnership on its feminine hygiene brand Carefree’s Free To Be Me campaign, creating a resource for girls to produce their own magazine on topical subjects whilst educating them about personal hygiene.
However, National Schools Partnership feels that body issues affecting boys are all too often glossed over in favour of addressing girl’s concerns.
For more information on how your brand can help visit www.nationalschoolspartnership.com.