Society defines a beach body as a skinny woman’s body that is able to pull off a bikini during the summer. It is a way to shame women into feeling the need to fit society’s expectation of their bodies. Weight-loss companies feed off this shame and sell diet pills and work out DVD’s targeted to help women achieve this “perfect beach body” so that others will enjoy the way they look in a bikini.
But this is complete crap.
Why are women held to such a high standard that we must be “beach ready” just to put on a bathing suit? We are made to feel “ugly” and “fat” if any rolls or cellulite are visible while in a bikini. We must fit this certain expectation to please men, not to please ourselves. Women are constantly feeling fat-shamed and put down just because they are not what they are expected to be by society. Just because someone is a bit larger does not mean they are not healthy or fit. Women should not feel the need to excessively work out or diet just so that their body will be ready for the male gaze.
The term “Dad-bod” has been used a lot in the media recently. That is a body of a male that is slightly larger, usually meaning a larger stomach, that is now accepted in society. Why is that accepted but women of all ages are meant to be slim? Why is the term “Mom-bod” not a thing? This is not to say that men are not also scrutinized for their looks, but the pressure is not the same as it is for women.
Society should not be able to shame women for wanting to wear a bathing suit that makes them feel comfortable. The purpose of going to the beach is to relax and have a good time, not to constantly feel scrutinized because of what society deems as “flaws.” It’s not fair. We should not be held to this standard that we must look good for the people around us.
The expectation of having the perfect “beach body” is detrimental to women of all ages, but especially to young women. During the past few weeks of summer I have heard so many girls my age say that they have to skip meals because they are going to the beach soon and have to look good. This expectation is causing girls not only to diet, but to starve themselves. How does society think this is healthy?! This is causing so much damage to women’s bodies and self-esteem.
It is time for the world to realize that having the perfect “beach body” is an unrealistic expectation to place on women. We must accept others bodies for how they are, not force them to change just for the fear of not being accepted. We must stop sexualizing women's bodies. When will we realize that the only way to have the perfect “beach body” is to just go to the beach? Your body is already perfect. All it needs is a beach.
