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Chapter 15 - Social Comparison

from Section II - The Journey Toward Positive Body Image

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2021

Nichole Wood-Barcalow ,
Tracy Tylka  and
Casey Judge
Nichole Wood-Barcalow
Affiliation:
Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center, Columbus, Ohio
Tracy Tylka
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Casey Judge
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
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Summary

When I (Tracy) was seven years old, I joined the swim team and competed in meets. Toward the end of the last lap, I would always look to my right or left when I came up for a breath to determine how far behind (or ahead) I was to give it my all (or coast in) to the finish. My father, an avid swimmer who watched my performance closely, noticed me comparing myself to others. “What are you doing?” he proclaimed. “That’ll slow you down.” I was embarrassed he noticed, denied doing it, and then tried to be less obvious. Out of the water, I’d compare the size of my bathing suit and the way it fit my body to that of my peers. If they caught me staring, I would have to come up with something quick like, “your suit is really nice.” Even at seven years old, I knew that it wasn’t socially acceptable to compare my performance, or appearance, to others.

Type
Chapter
Information
Positive Body Image Workbook
A Clinical and Self-Improvement Guide
 , pp. 219 - 230
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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