How did you gain/lose your physical Self-Esteem? Women: How did you gain/lose your physical self-esteem? Got five minutes? Please check out this survey. Only 9 questions - totally anonymous. OK Question Title * 1. If you had low self-esteem as a young child - how do you feel this was shaped? My mother was highly critical of me My father was highly critical of me My parents were both quite critical One or more of my siblings gave me the hardest time My family was quite supportive but my friends at school teased me There was one particular defining moment that I recall that is too painful to share My self-esteem was adversely affected by one or two defining moments (please specify) OK Question Title * 2. Your teen years? Mum: things went from bad to worse Dad: things went from bad to worse Mum was ok when I was a kid, but once I started to develop she said things that made me self-conscious Dad: he was ok when I was a kid, but once I started to develop, he got weirdly angry/suspicious towards me. Good ol' Mum and Dad - you were always both very bad at making me feel good about myself Family was fine, but High school was hell. Teenage girls are such bitches Family was fine, my female friends were fine - but boys teased the hell out of me. Outside influences weren't that bad. My problems came about internally. I began to negatively compare myself to other girls and people I saw in TV shows and Magazines The rate of my physical development (early or late) had the biggest impact in how people seemed to view me - and this had the biggest impact on me. I felt judged Once I reached puberty, It felt like I was suddenly public property. Everyone had an opinion about my body, both positive and negative. after I reached puberty, I got lots of attention and compliments on my figure. It made me feel good/went to my head There were one or two defining moments that had the most negative impact that I cannot bring myself to share There was a specific defining moment in my teens (positive or negative) please specify: OK Question Title * 3. How did things play out for you as a young adult? Because of previous outside influences, I continue(d) to negatively compare myself with others Things were ok before, but then found myself being criticised by romantic/sexual partners and that's when things really went downhill Things were bad before, but then I found myself being admired by romantic/sexual partners and this helped me see myself differently No change to my negative self-esteem, in fact I seemed to be attracted to people who reinforced the low opinion I had of myself As I became an adult - I placed more emphasis on my other human qualities and stopped caring what people thought about my looks Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 4. Smoke and Mirrors My self-esteem improves when I am wearing make up - and I feel ugly without it My self-esteem does not change - all the make up and good clothes in the world cannot help me I feel fine without make up - but enjoy wearing it on special occasions I prefer myself 'au naturel' at all times. I feel weird wearing make-up I'm addicted to wearing make-up. More is more. Porn Star Make Up FTW! OK Question Title * 5. Getting Nekkid When I'm getting intimate with others, I have always enjoyed how my body 'feels' to be touched - I stop thinking about how it looks. When I'm getting intimate with others, I have always enjoyed when my partner is looking at my body and I love showing it off - to turn them on. This also turns me on! I relate equally to the above responses! I love being a woman in all respects. I'm constantly self-conscious about my body. I find it really hard to relax with the lights on. But once they go out, I'm a tigress! I'm all about performance. I like being admired and I prefer giving to receiving. This turns me on most and I really love it! Because of my issues, I prefer giving to receiving. I feel uncomfortable about receiving because it means my partner is focussing on certain parts of my body and I can't relax - even in the dark! I used to feel uncomfortable with my body during sex, but thanks to positive experiences with kind partners, I am now inhibition free! Actually...I'd like to add my 2c here: OK Question Title * 6. Oh Mama! I enjoyed my body before, but pregnancy, birth and motherhood took that appreciation to the next level! My self-esteem became far less of a problem when I became pregnant. The changes in my body gave me a brand-new appreciation for my body. I feel even sexier! Pregnancy was uncomfortable for me. I hated being 'fat' and I couldn't wait to be thin again after the birth. Being pregnant and having a baby made no change to the way I felt about my body. It remained the same. I haven't had children yet, and I worry about the changes my body will go through. I haven't had children yet, and I'm excited about the changes my body will go through. I loved being pregnant, but I'm not as happy about my body now as I was before. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 7. How do you feel about getting older? I hate getting older. I'm always checking the mirror for new wrinkles and it depresses me I'm still young, but the thought of getting older depresses me. I'm already thinking about plastic surgery options and botox Ageing is a natural part of life, I don't like it, but I'm prepared to roll with it. What other choice do I have? The older I get, the better I feel. It's all about inner beauty! I've always thought the worldliness and wisdom of older women was really beautiful. Bring it on! I personally never thought older women were sexy, but a lot of MEN seem to so that's given me a different perspective - who am I to argue? Bring me my cubs! I'm actually looking forward to not being constantly objectified. I think it will be freeing. We should stop buying into ageing as some sort of a disease and get the fuck over it. The commercially-driven obsession with youth depresses me. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 8. How did you feel about these questions? It made me more aware of why my self-esteem might have been damaged and has definitely made me think of how I'm still a slave to those out-dated beliefs This quiz has no bearing on how I feel about my appearance, either good or bad. This quiz made me realise just how much I still obsess about my looks This quiz made me realise how far I've come in not obsessing about my looks. It made me think more about how much women's looks are objectified and more determined not to buy into it. Other (please specify) OK Question Title * 9. Feel free to add any additional feedback here OK DONE