An evangelical church has come up with a school program to boost self-esteem, but there appear to be several things wrong with it.
A group of young women take part in classes intended to boost their confidence. Some have personal problems, others have behavioural issues, while a few simply go because their friends do.
The program, called Shine, was created by the Hillsong Church. It is being run in at least 20 NSW public schools, numerous small community organisations and within the juvenile justice system. Hillsong describes Shine as a “practical, life-equipping, values-based course”.
It’s a bit like motherhood and apple pie - on the surface there is very little to object to. Nevertheless, alarm bells are starting to ring.
First, there is the problem of content. The young women learn a range of skills including how to put on make-up, do their hair and nails, and walk with books balanced on their heads. While many professionals would agree that appearance can be an important aspect of self-esteem, teachers, adolescent developmental experts, and parent groups are becoming concerned that the focus on skin care, hair care, nail care, and deportment is reinforcing stereotypes, and is not really helpful for troubled young women. Professor Dianna Kenny (University of Sydney) commented: “They are essentially saying you are not appropriate as you are and we’re going to show you how to be appropriate.”
Secondly, there is the problem of the qualifications of the course deliverers. They are largely underqualified. They certainly aren’t experienced and qualified counsellors. Most of the facilitators who deliver Shine in Sydney classrooms have no university counselling qualifications, although Hillsong says they must have some qualifications or experience. In some schools the program is run by careers or physical education teachers. At other schools, including Alexandria Park it is run by young recruits from Hillsong’s leadership college. The schools seem to be handing over dealing with sensitive issues to seeming well-intentioned amateurs who are focusing on the wrong thing.
Thirdly, there is the issue of transparency. Shine was originally developed by the CityCare arm of Hillsong as an explicitly religious program. The church says it is now “community-based, not religious-based” but, as recently as 2005, promotional material referred to young women’s “created uniqueness”. “Through skin care, natural make-up, hair care, nail care girls discover their value and created uniqueness,” the material says. Parents are being asked to pay for the beauty products, but many seem unaware of what they have signed their children up to. Other parents are concerned that public money (the schools pay Hillsong to run the program) is being used in this way, either because of its religious background, or because of the inadequacy of the psychological provision.
Parents groups from Queensland and the Northern Territory have complained that their schools have tried to sneak Shine in almost unnoticed. “In our view, this is a way of getting religion into schools through subterranean means,” said one parent, Hugh Wilson. “The principal or the chaplain decides it’s a good idea and, next thing you know, your kids are being taught about make-up by the Hillsong Church.”
The church says parents have been overwhelmingly supportive of the program.
(Source: Paul Bibby, The Sydney Morning Herald.)
In answering this blog, I have answered this differently by looking at each section and then scrolling down to continue the reply, as there is a lot of information and points to be raised here which deserves this kind of attention. you have raised several important points.
Point one:
As a mother to a teenage daughter I feel they have locked on to looks, hair, nails etc to primarily act as a focal point of interest, to get the girls attention and get them interested in the programme. There has to be a bait on the hook and what better bait than the chance for advice and perhaps a free manicure in the process. This is potentially harmless but also could be viewed as quite manipulative by the church. I view this with suspicion. Yes, looking good can help self-esteem and there is no harm in wanting to look after your skin better. This may also be used to get girls talking together and empowering them to solve their own problems:peer support in affect. This is fine but the emphasis should be here that everyone has beauty within, and when this comes to confidence building, this should be emphasised. Would this then be done by saying/preaching Jesus loves you? This could be a way by the group on a Christian evangelical crusade.
Point Two:
While it is important that the right people should head this, and what is perceived as right could be subjective, I do disagree with you a little on this aspect. Not in all situations do you need to have trained university qualifications to be an effective communicator and helper to these vulnerable people. Shine is not saying it is a counselling service, just a way of exploring self-esteem. I would not shire away from such a venture from a qualifications aspect. My experience working with my own girl and her friends gives me confidence to be on hand to listen with authority, as to how these youngsters feel and to beable to offer helpful advice and when to flag up someone who may need a more expert therapist.
It could be argued who better than the “young recruits” that these kids can relate too. Someone of their own age and non-judmental. If they knew they were seeing “shrinks or therapists”, a lot would shy away-perhaps. I don’t want that to appear a too sweeping statment though. I can see a situation where one trained counsellor should over see the process. Certainly somebody who knows what they are doing needs to be firmly at the head. I hope that last comment does not appear too contradictory.
Point three:
Yes, as I have already expressed the word “sneak” does seem appropriate here. There is without doubt a hidden agenda, particuarly when the bible speaks of modesty and hair being covered for women as one example. They are certainly not wanting to promote the latest Treeseme products for hair care or because they have shares in the company and get a 10% discount on sales.
It may be all very innocent and who could complain of its intentions by most parents. I would want to listen more to what Shine is really talking about and I bet its not the application of false nails.
Very interesting blog athinkingman. Hope you don’t mind the long reply as this is something I can relate to well with a teenage girl at home; who just loves high heels, nail art and who changes her haircut on every salon visit.
ps: Quite unrelated but how do we follow you on Twitter? The header does not lead to a link. Where can we find you?
I couldn’t agree more with the professor who talked of the idea that they need to look good to be alright.
To me, what a woman needs to learn is that she is OK just as she is. A woman needs to learn not to judge herself or others on the basis of physical appearance.
A woman needs to discover who she is deep down inside, and to stand up for the person she really is. If she happens to be a math-loving geek who hates make up and heals, so be it. She needs to accept herself just the way she is.
But most importantly, she needs to stop trying to fit in with people who don’t share her values. Why try to fit in with girls who value makeup, fashion, and fine skin? A person needs to find her niche, because doing that increases self-esteem.
My niche, I know for sure, is NOT church. I am still looking for the other math-loving geeks, and I am doing so in my flat running shoes.
I agree with Lorena. In my opinion there is far too much shown in magazines, celebrity and so forth about needing the right image. Accepting yourself for who you are in vital, regardless of looks. It is very hard sometimes to impart this on girls, as they are exposed to a lot and its getting the balance right between teenage normal stuff and becoming too absorbed in something such as image.
gosh yes, this sounds rather Victorian - make-up, manicures and deportment. Looking good does not really make you feel good and certainly does not solve any deeper problems. It is true that when you feel bad about yourself or your life then you do let the physical things go but that is just treating the symptoms not the cause. Improving appearance will boost people for a short time (rather longer than eating a chocolate bar I suppose) but I have to say to me it seems offensive and sexist to appeal to girls in this way.
Gives me the creeps to be honest. But then I too am a Mathematical geek who tends to wear running shoes or flipflops and who rarely spends more than 2 mins on make up!