As I researched for this piece I noticed tons of Odyssey articles defending this topic. I must admit I was surprised, because I rarely see this problem seriously discussed on social media. Throughout all forms of media, more often is the issue of fat-shaming seen as problematic. Not to say that fat shaming isn't a major problem—it clearly is—but there are various articles that criticize the idea of "skinny shaming." Skinny shaming is seen as a myth, a joke and overall nowhere near as controversial as fat shaming.
Why is skinny shaming viewed as nonexistent? Because thinner girls are assumed to have the most desirable body type. Because thinner girls are more often publicized as owning the most aesthetically pleasing body type. What people don't acknowledge is that just because something is promoted as aesthetically "perfect" doesn't mean it's always idealistic in reality. In my experience, curvier women, as well as women with extra meat on their bones, are just as sexually desired as women with a slender build.
Why is it that slender girls can't be as insecure as thicker girls? When I've expressed bodily insecurity to my friends, I find myself receiving backlash because I appear thinner than those I express my insecurity to. Although, it feels good hearing that our body type is just fine, hearing things like "you have nothing to worry about"—in an annoyed tone mind you—doesn't exactly lift one's mood. If anything, it's irritating to hear, because not only do I feel guilty for feeling insecure, but others may assume I'm "fishing for compliments." Overall, I am not promoting insecurity, just the right to express it.
Skinnier girls may be told throughout their life they should eat more. Are people aware that telling someone to eat more is the equivalent of telling one to eat less? Never assume you know someone's diet, especially if you don't witness their eating habits on a daily basis. I have seen thick girls who eat nothing but healthy foods and thin girls whose diet consist of In-N-Out and Taco Bell on a regular basis. It can be just as difficult to gain weight for some like losing weight is for others.
Girls with extremely petite bodies are ridiculed for their "chicken legs" and "mannish" bodies (due to a flat chest and butt). We can't help the way we develop so what do women resort to? Plastic surgery. The majority of women go under the knife not only because of what's advertised as the ideal look, but because they are laughed at, even rejected for not having a womanly shape that men desire. People forget that slender women—like thicker women—will go to extreme lengths to alter their bodies.
Have you ever walked into Brandy Melville and gotten annoyed by the "one size fits all" tags? You are annoyed because these clothes are clearly produced for smaller women. Now imagine being one of those petite girls with small breasts and a small bum. You find the most stylish top and a set of jeans to pair with it. Finally, you've found the perfect outfit for your plans Friday night. However, you're let down when you try on your outfit because the top awkwardly hangs on your chest and the pants don't accentuate your little bum. With that said, we all struggle with finding clothes that fit us just the way we like, because our proportions vary.
Every man and woman—including you—has body image insecurities so why bother pointing out the flaws in others? Shaming others won't relieve you of your own insecurities. As Cady Heron says in "Mean Girls":
