Its nothing new to hear about eating disorders and negative relationships with food and exercise in our community; however, TCS HS students have expressed their concerns regarding judgment and pressure to fit a very narrow beauty standard that is present in the school community, as well as Paisa culture.

Body-image struggles are prevalent in our generation, with the influence of social media and students comparing themselves to one another. This results in discomfort and poor self-esteem in TCS students. Nonetheless, students have expressed discomfort with this, especially during outside-of-school activities.

“I would say the pressure increases when it comes to school trips or extracurricular activities since everyone is thinking about what other people will think of them and are under high-pressure to maintain a certain look. Because of this, we can see our peers even harming themselves and neglecting their overall well-being,” said senior Rosario Clavijo.

Nonetheless, factors such as social media seem to have a strong impact on how high school students perceive themselves. They are likely to compare themselves with what they see online and put pressure on themselves to look a certain way or accommodate their bodies to fit a very narrow beauty standard. Students must consider how most of this content is heavily edited and modified.

“ I believe social media heavily affects our self-image. While it is relieving to know how much people pose or edit their images, I find it hard not to compare myself to others online. But we all compare ourselves to people we know or influencers that we don’t know and have millions and millions of followers; we force ourselves to fit into these standards and create a harsh environment among our community,” said senior Elisa Arango.

Regardless, it is also crucial to consider which support systems students cling to during such times of distress. How students cope with the pressure and who they seek is crucial for managing these struggles, as these support systems allow TCS students to improve their self-image and their self-esteem.

“Peers can help each other by promoting healthier behaviors, keeping an eye on each other, and overall, promoting healthy habits that prevent such extremes,” said senior, Antonia Garcia.

Nonetheless, its imperative to consider that this is not the case for all students, as some have expressed that body image is not their main concern; however, their energy may land in their social standing and the way others perceive them. These students did not claim to feel inferior to their classmates because of their weight or size, but because of how others may perceive them as beautiful or socially accepted.

“I think that social media plays a crucial role because every time we are engaging with it, we are allowing social media to influence us. People demonstrate or show themselves to be someone they are not, and most of us are aware of that. However, where the land marks, is with likes and social standing, where we compare ourselves with how much attention others seem to receive,” Arango, said.

Though students may not all engage in restrictive behaviors before activities for which their physiques are exposed, they reported witnessing their friends engage in such, falling into harmful patterns that might escalate into major difficulties.
Quote (supports Transition 4): “This usually happens during trips like Cartagena and now, before San Andrés, where I see some of my friends refusing to eat because they appear scared of gaining weight before a trip or an excursion,” Calvijo said.

Having a proper support network is crucial for students, whether they find solace in their friends, family, or faculty, they seek ways to cope with their insecurities. Many of these struggles are not proper for only TCS students; it’s a component of Paisa culture, and typical for teenagers, as they learn to grow as adults in this society, and the changes they face in their adolescence.

“While I may see some of my friends struggling, I love how I feel like we can support each other, lift ourselves up, and have a good time always; regardless of how our bodies may look like,” Garcia said.