The topic of body image and “true” beauty for women of all ages has been on the rise in society. Standards for body image and what a woman is “supposed” to look like is portrayed through movies, television, music and probably the most influential, social media. Whether it is directly or indirectly, everywhere you look someone is telling you what is acceptable in today’s world. Young women are developing complexes by the blaring opinion of what the perfect woman is supposed to look like.
The concept of body shaming, in particular fat shaming, is seen in every aspect of culture. Models are photographed on magazine covers with perfect complexions, toned body parts, and glistening skin, creating an unobtainable expectation of “beauty”. After celebrities are publicly attacked for being overweight or even just above average, fat shaming as a whole has been a hot topic for the masses. Melissa McCarthy, one of my favorite female actresses, was publicly humiliated after being referred to as “tractor-sized” and a “female-hippo”. These degrading terms are thrown around, contributing to body insecurities and anxiety especially among teenagers and young adults.
It is no secret that fat shaming is seen everywhere and is a rapidly growing problem closely related with cyber bullying, eating disorders, and even self harm. But what happens when body shaming is executed towards the opposite type? What happens when girls are referred to as “skinny bitches” and told that “boys like a little more booty” by their favorite musicians and pop icons? Meghan Trainer can shame against skinny girls in a way that is seen as more acceptable for a reason that I am not too sure of.
When the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show came around, body shaming about the rail framed super models that walked the runway quickly followed. Hurtful labels of anorexia and assumed undernourishment were thrown around on every social media platform. The models were thrown under a harsh and negative light, criticizing that they were “too” skinny.
I work out and practice healthy eating seven days a week. Within my routine diet you will not find any red meat, flour based carbs, or soda. Everything I buy is primarily low or reduced in fat, sugar, or calories. I have not eaten McDonald's in at least five years and cook nutrient full meals every day. I wear a size 0, sometimes 00, and I weigh just over 100 pounds. Even despite my life choices, I have always been very petite. Throughout schooling I was always the smallest in my class no matter how much food I shoveled down my throat.
As a result of my healthy lifestyle I endure comments daily on my diet, exercise habits, and physical appearance. I get rolled eyes and huffy breaths when I decline pieces of cake at birthday parties and make my gym session a priority every single day. I am told I am “too thin” and advised to “put some meat on my bones”.
Why is body shaming less hurtful or more likely to be ignored when it is toward thin and petite-framed girls? Why is body shaming of any form seen as acceptable? Body image is a concern for every woman and calling attention to negative aspects of someone’s body contributes greatly to insecurities for both extremes of the spectrum. While fat shaming is absolutely a concern in society, body shaming is even more of an epidemic as a whole.
Instead of discouraging only fat shaming, body acceptance is the true solution. Dove’s Real Beauty campaigns that “every body is beautiful” and promotes confidence found in positive relationships with one’s self. Aerie has recently put a ban on photo shopping their young girls, advertising for real bodies as inspiration. These campaigns along with other select few have done a tremendous job at creating this well-rounded message of self-love, body acceptance, and confidence rather than singling out one specific body type.
In this day and age every body comes in different sizes and there is no longer room for thousands of comments on Instagram, analyzing and picking apart our favorite singers, actresses, and comedians. I am in hopes that the developed concept of body acceptance will allow me to eat my salad in peace while someone else takes my piece of cake if that’s what makes each of us feel our best; I am in hopes that my body will no longer be labeled as that of a 12-year olds and rather be accepted as equally as each body should.
