Generational Body Positivity (GenB)
Generational Body Positivity (GenB) is an intergenerational project promoting body positivity. The project emerged from the #OldisBeautiful project, where older people talked about wanting to model body positivity for their grandchildren. GenB is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing Ltd's Centre for Intergenerational Power and was developed in partnership with Harry, a 16 year old work experience student from Ballarat Grammar. GenB is an exchange of messages between younger and older people on reclaiming body positivity.
GenB'ers are an all ages generation who believe that beautiful is not defined by our age, shape, size, skin colour, abilities, race, sexuality, gender or facial symmetry. We are all beautiful.
GenB'ers are an all ages generation who believe that beautiful is not defined by our age, shape, size, skin colour, abilities, race, sexuality, gender or facial symmetry. We are all beautiful.
Why GenB matters
In many Western cultures there is a 'hierarchy of beauty'. Beauty is often defined as physical attractiveness - and we are told what and who is beautiful. People who are considered beautiful are assumed to be more intelligent and are treated better (this is sometimes called 'pretty privilege'). For young and old who do not consider themselves to be physically beautiful (we are all beautiful - but sometimes we judge ourselves), there may be harmful consequences.
We believe the important thing here is not where we sit on someone else's hierarchy of beauty - what matters is how we value ourselves. We need to be positive about our bodies and understand that beauty can be so many different things. There is also an opportunity for older and younger people to promote body positivity with each other.
- Some older people are conscious of youthfulness as a beauty goal and the 'fight against ageing', and believe they are less beautiful and therefore less valued as they age. This internalised ageism can be harmful to health and wellbeing and reduce life expectancy by 7.5 years
- Some younger people become unhappy with their body after seeing unrealistic beauty standards on social media. This can be harmful to their mental wellbeing.
We believe the important thing here is not where we sit on someone else's hierarchy of beauty - what matters is how we value ourselves. We need to be positive about our bodies and understand that beauty can be so many different things. There is also an opportunity for older and younger people to promote body positivity with each other.
GenB Hepburn
In September 2024, GenB workshops kick off in Hepburn - more details coming soon
Pilot project
The report on our project report has been launched, and includes the results of our survey of and evaluation of the pilot project. Click here to download the report. The first three messages below are from older to younger people, the second three are younger to older people.
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VoxPop
We hung out in Melbourne's Hosier Lane to ask people of all ages to read the body positive messages from younger and older people and share their responses.
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Media release
The project will be launched in September, as part of the National Exhibition hosted for the #Embolden2024 Festival. Download media release here.
Contact us
If you would like more information about the GenB project, please contact Dr Catherine Barrett on [email protected] or 0429 582 237
