“/>Episode 9 of “Parents’ First Sex Education,” titled “Do I Have to Be Pretty to Be Loved?”, airing Monday the 25th at 10:50 PM, will focus on the growing concerns children have about their appearance.
The show will examine how distorted beauty standards—such as “bone-skinny,” “pro-ana,” “binge-purge,” and beauty filter apps—affect children’s self-esteem and body image. It will also discuss the role of parents and communication methods to help children accept themselves as they are in an era where judging looks has become a daily occurrence.
Former Wonder Girls member Hyerim will join the episode to share honest stories about the appearance evaluations and public scrutiny she faced during her idol activities.
Children are lovely just as they are, but is their satisfaction with their appearance low?
The episode will reveal the honest thoughts of elementary school students. While they are confident when expressing themselves through dance and acting, the mood shifts quickly when the conversation turns to looks. The children will show items reflecting their worries—such as scales, cosmetics, and height supplements—and share their experiences trying to meet standards like “a thinner body,” “a perfect face,” and “being tall.” Experts warn that appearance-related stress can lead to self-hatred and low self-esteem, explaining that peer culture and the media environment heavily influence how children form their beauty standards.
“Bone-Skinny,” “Pro-Ana,” “Binge-Purge”… Distorted Beauty Standards Created by SNS
The cast is shocked to find that terms like “bone-skinny,” “pro-ana,” and “binge-purge” are naturally used among elementary school students. An expert explains that repeated exposure to specific beauty standards through SNS algorithms can lead to the formation of a distorted body image.
They advise that severe obsession with appearance can lead to anorexia, eating disorders, depression, and social withdrawal, emphasizing the need for careful observation and conversation from parents.
“/>
“/>
“/>
“/>
“/>“The ‘me’ in the filter feels like the real me”: How editing apps change self-perception
The show will also feature an experiment where beauty filters are applied to the cast’s faces. While naturally editing faces on screen is common for adults, it can be a different problem for growing children. Experts explain that the more children get used to filtered faces, the more they feel a gap between that image and their real self, which in severe cases can lead to depression or body dysmorphic disorder.
“Am I pretty?” The true feelings of children
The episode will reveal the raw reality of children’s appearance concerns and self-esteem. The cast is surprised by how early appearance anxiety begins. An expert explains that when a child asks “Am I pretty?”, it may not be a simple check of their looks, but rather an anxiety about their existential value, asking “Can I be loved as I am?”. They emphasize that a parent’s words and attitude greatly influence a child’s body image, and that praise focusing on effort, process, and a sense of efficacy is more important than praising looks.
What is more important than a perfect appearance
Through this broadcast, EBS’s “Parents’ First Sex Education” discusses how children can learn to respect their own bodies and existence in a society that consumes appearance as a standard of evaluation. It suggests that accepting “the me as I am” is more important than having a perfect look, delivering the message that a parent’s warm words and gaze build a child’s self-esteem.
Hyerim shared honest stories about the culture of comparison and appearance evaluations she experienced as an idol, stating, “What is more important than looks is the heart that accepts yourself as you are.”
Episode 9 of “Parents’ First Sex Education,” titled “Do I Have to Be Pretty to Be Loved?”, featuring relatable talks, warm comfort, and practical parenting solutions, will air on Monday the 25th at 10:50 PM on EBS 1TV.
