In case you are unfamiliar with the term, “skinny shaming” is exactly the same as “fat shaming” expect for instead of making someone (usually but not always a girl) feel bad about being a little overweight, it’s making them feel bad about being underweight. Now don’t get me wrong, fat shaming is still a huge problem but this article is going to focus on skinny shaming.
An individual can be underweight for a number of reasons. Most of the time though when someone is being skinny shamed it is because the person throwing insults assumes that the individual is starving themselves to be skinnier, a condition commonly known as Anorexia. This assumption can not only be false but it can also be very insulting. Not every person who is a little skinnier than the average person is starving themselves. Comments like “eat a burger, you’re nothing but skin and bones, guys don't like skinny girls and you look like a child" are old and offensive. Not only do these comments hurt but it can also contribute to someone’s horrible self-image.
It is assumed that people who are skinny just love their bodies and have no insecurities whatsoever. False. Negative. Not true. Skinny people have just as many insecurities as everyone else. Now you are probably thinking “but if I was that skinny I would never complain. I would love it.” Being naturally skinny has it’s benefits without a doubt but it also has it’s drawbacks.
Girls who are naturally skinny tend to not be as curvy. In a society that glorifies having size D boobs and a larger than life butt, being on the smaller side can be devastating to a girls self-image. Ask any "skinny girl" if she self-conscious about the way she looks and the answer is more than likely to be yes.
Now I know what you are thinking, “oh poor baby was too skinny. She’s just whining.” I speak for every person who has been told to eat more or to stop starving themselves when I say that skinny shaming is still body shaming and it needs to stop. It’s incredibly insensitive to hash out anything other than compliments when it comes to how someone looks. Why must we tear each other’s appearances apart? Why can’t we dish out compliments instead of insults and uplift each other? I don’t know about you, but it makes me happy to see someone smile after I tell them they look amazing in a dress or that their hair looks great. So whatever you think it is, too skinny, too big, too whatever, keep it to yourself and instead why not be kind and give out a compliment. Can you imagine what would happen if everyone gave out at least one compliment a day?
Skinny shaming is wrong. Fat shaming is wrong. All body shaming is wrong. Let's put body shaming to rest and spread a little less criticism and a little more kindness. Give out a compliment instead of a criticism. It might make someone's day and you never know it might make yours too.
