As a society, we are becoming more accepting of larger and plus size body types. We are seeing models like Ashley Grahm on the cover of magazines and we hear that "It is all about that base." We are being told that healthy and curvy, can be the same thing. And in return, young women who are plus size, are growing more confidence each day.
But to this plus size plus side, there is a downside.
Telling someone who is smaller figured or petite that they need to “eat a hamburger” or “put some meat on their bones” is just as harmful as telling a plus size person that “they are fat” or “need to lose some weight.” When people think of body positivity, they only think of plus size girls embracing their beautiful bodies. But when a smaller waisted female loves her body, she is considered full of herself and cocky.
Are skinny people not allowed to love their bodies just because society thinks they can't possibly have a poor self-image?
Reality check; Negative body image can happen to anyone.
Would you like to be told by another person that your body is not perfect? Would you like to be told you need to lose some weight? Or gain weight? Just to be considered beautiful?
Body shaming of any kind is hurtful and wrong.
Did you know that bullying due to body imagine and weight perception is one of the leading causes of teen and adolescent suicide? A recent study by PBS showed that over 80 percent of children under the age of 10 years old, wish they could change the way they look. When these children were asked why, a majority of them said, because “they didn’t want to be made fun of by their friends."
Have you ever felt pressured or embarrassed about your body? I know I have! And why is it that we feel ashamed of our bodies? Who is pressuring us to feel like we have to fit into a certain body type?
Maybe, we are just like the kids in that study. Maybe, we’re afraid of being made fun of by our friends, our peers, our fellow co-workers. We are afraid we will be told to "Eat a Hamburger" or "Go to the gym." We are afraid of being exactly who we are. Beautiful.
Whether you’re plus size, petite, 6 foot 2 or 4 foot 11. I encourage you to look in the mirror and find one thing you like about yourself. Maybe your makeup looks good, say "Daayyum, my eyebrows are on fleek!" Or maybe you just got back from the gym and see your new muscles growing, tell yourself "I am a wonderful sweaty mess who is healthy and strong!"
No matter how you do it, always remember, a positive body image starts with you.
