Today’s debate topic
Does checking the box to request that your child’s blemishes be removed from her school photo send the wrong message to her?
Lisa weighs in
I’ve always been baffled by this option on the school picture order forms. I remember the first time I saw it, I was shocked. And maybe a bit *too* shocked as I’m always erring on the side of being uber-careful about anything surrounding the way a child looks. (Let’s just say certain adults weren’t always so careful when I was growing up.)
And while I think the photography studio must mean well (they want to give parents options and some parents do want this one), I think it’s a really, really (really!) bad idea. It absolutely sends the wrong message to a child. By saying you want your child’s photo re-touched, you are essentially telling her that she could look better. She’s a child, not a cover model for Vogue.
Sure, no one wants blemishes on their face and everyone, even children as they get older, wants to take the best photo possible, but it’s their school photo. It’s meant to capture them as they really looked — at the time they were photographed. What’s next? Offering makeup? A fan blowing their hair to make them look more model-esque? Special lighting?
Say it like you mean it!
So what do you think… should kids get their school photos enhanced? Am I overreacting?
I don’t think this sends a good message to kids at all. Unless we’re talking about an older teen who maybe has a one-time zit type situation, it’s not cool IMO.
Agreed! I think it totally sends the wrong message. Children have enough negative messages hurtled their way through the media, do we really need to do it with them too?
My kids aren’t in school yet, so I didn’t even know this was an option. So, they airbrush the photos? That’s crazy!
Kori- YES! The first time I saw it as an option, I was floored. But it did open up a good dialogue in our home.
I would never have my kids’ photos “enhanced.” I agree with Monica that is sends the wrong message. I would never want my kids to think they are anything less than perfect in my eyes or create an insecurity for them.
I have two pre-teen girls and I really don’t have an issue with having blemishes removed. I don’t like the idea of any other type of enhancement when we’re talking school pictures though. Of course we don’t want our girls looking like the cover of Vogue. I want their natural beauty and uniqueness to shine through. But I know when I was their age I loved to trade school pictures with my friends and it would have done me a world of good to ‘feel’ good about my picture. And I know for a fact, I wasn’t giving out pictures of myself when I was suffering through acne! I knew the acne wasn’t ‘me’ but I hated looking at the reminder in the photo. I think a little blemish removal might go a long way to help a girl see herself like Mom see’s her
I think it’s wonderful that it’s an option and always get it for my child. Why should a pimple stress her out on photo day. Pimples are not part of her all the time. They only happen to be there for a week. Same if there was a mosquito bite or scratch or cold sore. As long as she’s happy with her school photo that shows her as she really is and not becasuse a zit decided to rear it’s ugly head on photo day.