Through time, exercise and hard work, Maggie becomes more and more confident and develops a positive self-image" (Thursday). There are a few problems with this, clearly. First of all, children should not be going on diets. It is the responsibility of parents to create a proper eating plan for their children. Not only that, but children take things very literally. They will read this story about a girl losing weight and, as a result, becoming popular and happy. That sends the wrong message entirely. Any child may see this book and feel that if he or she were to lose a little weight, things would get better for them. The summary claims "Maggie's potential has been hiding under her extra weight. What does that mean to a young child who feels that they are not thin enough? Chances are they will assume that if they drop a few pounds, they will suddenly unveil hidden talents; probably talents that they already possess but just don't see. .
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By and large, the conclusion should be that this book is not for children. It promotes a "thinner is better, thinner leads to improvement" attitude that is harmful for kids. Models and celebrities are an issue, as well. Kids often try to emulate whomever they admire, and these women who have jutting collarbones and ribs that are clearly visible certainly do not help the situation (Cable, Borland). The alterations that are made to photos of famous women are damaging, and they are everywhere. Books, dolls, weight loss programs, commercials, fashion shows and magazine images all give girls this connection between thinness and happiness, or thinness and fun. It is more of a catalyst than many of us realize.
There are certain types of children who are more vulnerable to the messages that are delivered to us by the media. Although not limited to these personality types, sufferers of Anorexia are often perfectionists. They aim to please others, have difficulty finding pleasure in life, and are typically very compliant (Casper).
