Skinny shaming.
"Why don't you eat something?" "Ew! That girl looks anorexic!" "I'm not a size zero because I have the body of a woman, not a girl." These are only a few things I have heard people say about those who have a thin body frame. Why are they socially acceptable? In the past, the term "fat shaming" came into regular conversation. This term is one that is used with abuse and ill manners to people who are overweight. It was quickly put to rest, and calling someone "fat" became uncultured. It was considered rude and unnecessary, because obesity was a sensitive topic, especially to those affected by it. Recently, thin shaming has been accepted into society as an acceptable form of description. Just because someone is skinny, doesn't mean they are anorexic. And the mere possibility that they might have a disease like this should force you to refrain from commenting on their body.
1. "All About That Bass":
Meghan Trainor's"All About That Bass" is indeed catchy and empowering for those who are blessed with natural body curves. However, this song includes lyrics such as "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night." (Maybe boys do, but men look for more than "booty" in a woman.) These lyrics are indeed offensive to those girls who are naturally skinny. This song demonstrates how thin shaming has become a social norm. It gives girls a sense that they won't ever be able to get a man to love their body because they don't have extra curves. Metabolisms on people vary, and some girls can't help but be naturally thin!2.Bones vs. Curves:
There have also been some popular media quotes promoting the same idea, including "real men like curves, only dogs go for bones." Pictures like this one have also become popular. I hope the person who made this realized that they are comparing all women to a hunk of meat. Enough said.
3. Do you even eat?
Yes... contrary to the popular statement "You need to eat a cheeseburger!" Skinny girls do eat. A lot. They just happen to have very quick metabolisms!
4.You're too skinny!
This post in particular demonstrates a lot of what is wrong with skinny shaming. Just because someone is skinny, doesn't mean they don't eat, and it doesn't mean they don't have self-image issues of their own.
So how is skinny shaming any less offensive than the old term "fat shaming"? Answer: It isn't. The solution for this offensive term to drop out of the vocabularies of people is to stop all body shaming. Do not comment on someone's body fat, no matter how much or little they have. Women have more to offer than simply their bodies, and not all men are looking for curves. Stop making curves vs. skinny a competition; all bodies are different, and every woman is beautiful in her own way.
Some parting empowerment pictures for all of my "too skinny" women out there: