Raising Body-Positive Daughters in a Filtered World
A Note from Apoio
In today’s world, mirrors don’t just hang on walls; they live in our phones. Between filters, edits, and endless scrolling, young girls are growing up comparing themselves to pictures that aren’t even real.
At Apoio, we believe every girl deserves to feel comfortable, confident, and seen for who she truly is. This isn’t just about teens innerwear, it’s about inner strength.
The Pressure to Look Perfect
A global study of more than 21,000 adolescents (ages 10–17) found that over 55% of girls are dissatisfied with their bodies, and the more time they spend online, the higher that dissatisfaction becomes (University of Waterloo, 2023).
In another report by the Mental Health Foundation (UK), 54% of girls said that social media images made them worry about their bodies. The constant comparison, likes, and comments can quietly shape how a young girl sees herself before she even knows who she is becoming.
“Our daughters are growing up in a world where perfection feels like a filter away. Let’s help them see beauty beyond the screen.”
Why This Matters, Especially Now
The early teen years (10–13) are when girls’ self-esteem and body image begin to form. Researchers note that adolescence is the most sensitive phase for body confidence, as physical changes, hormonal shifts, and identity-building collide (BMC Women’s Health, 2022).
When a girl starts to notice her body changing whether that’s developing curves or acne, she often looks outward for answers. Social media, peers, and advertising quickly become mirrors of validation or judgment. This is why the voice of a parent, teacher, or mentor becomes essential: it can be the quiet counterweight to all that noise.
The Role of Innerwear in Confidence
While body image often feels like a “big topic,” sometimes it starts with the smallest things, like what she wears underneath.
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Comfort builds confidence: When a training bra feels soft, weightless, and secure, she’s not distracted by her body, she’s empowered by it.
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Fit sends a message: The right fit says, “Your body is growing, and that’s perfectly normal.” The wrong one says, “Something needs fixing.”
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Narrative matters: When innerwear is spoken about as “covering up,” it can feel like shame. When it’s introduced as “supporting your growth,” it becomes pride.
That’s why every Apoio design from the Simple Start training bra to Cover Lite is made to “melt onto her body”, letting her move freely, feel supported, and grow confidently.
Five Gentle Ways to Raise Body-Positive Daughters
1. Start Early, Keep It Natural
Don’t wait for “the talk.” Instead, create an ongoing, easy conversation about body changes.
Try: “You’re growing beautifully,” or “Your body is becoming stronger, how amazing is that?”
2. Teach Media Literacy
Show her how filters, editing, and algorithms work. Discuss why influencers always look “perfect.”
Encourage her to follow accounts that make her feel good and not less than.
3. Focus on What the Body Can Do
Shift the attention from “how it looks” to “what it does.”
“You climbed that wall today, your legs are powerful!” or “Your arms are strong from dance practice.”
4. Involve Her in Her Choices
Let her pick her first training bra or innerwear. When she gets to choose, she learns agency and self-expression, not embarrassment.
5. Model Positive Behaviour Yourself
Your daughter watches how you speak about your own body. Replace “I feel fat today” with “I feel tired, I need rest.”
When you celebrate your body, she learns to celebrate hers.
“The way we speak about our bodies becomes her inner voice.”
A Small Step with Big Meaning
Buying her first training bra may seem like a tiny moment, but it’s often her first experience of body awareness, comfort, and pride.
When she learns to feel good in her body, she also learns to feel enough in herself.
That’s why we at Apoio design the best training bras for 9 year olds and teens innerwear not to hide, but to honour her growth, because comfort is confidence in its truest form.
Sources:
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University of Waterloo. Negative Body Image Among Teens Is a Global Issue (2023)
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Mental Health Foundation. Body Image Report — Executive Summary: Childhood (2021)
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BMC Women’s Health. Adolescent Girls’ Experiences of Body Image and Social Media (2022)
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Harvard School of Public Health. Exploring the Effect of Social Media on Teen Girls’ Mental Health (2023)
