Why We Shouldn't Shame Other People's Bodies
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Why We Shouldn't Shame Other People's Bodies

Life is too short to worry about how you look when you go to the beach

7
Why We Shouldn't Shame Other People's Bodies

It's swimsuit season, and a time of the year when people typically head for the beach in swimsuits and shorts. For many, this is no big deal at all, but there are also many others who feel self-conscious about weighing too much or not enough, being too muscular or not having enough muscles, or having stretch marks and scars. There are many things, a lot of them natural, about our bodies that we are often made to feel ashamed or bad about.

Stretch marks, which are actually a normal part of puberty for most guys and girls, are often photoshopped out of pictures. There is endless advice on the internet about how to "get rid" of them.

One time, I overheard a conversation between a group of people who were talking about how women who were overweight shouldn't wear crop tops or bikinis because it didn't suit them. And I know boys that have been made fun of for being too skinny when they were as young as 11 or 12.

How many times have we heard people making fun of other people's appearances in public? How many times have we heard our friends make negative comments about their own bodies, talking about the things they wish they could fix instead of the things that they like?

We judge people for having imperfect, flawed, and human bodies. And yet, when people decide to have plastic surgery or otherwise fix those "problems" in some ways, we make fun of them for that too.

Life is too short to worry about whether your body looks perfect or not. To let other people's judgement deter you from feeling the warmth of the sunlight on your skin at the beach. My mom once told me that what's really important is that you're clean and presentable, and it's something I still agree with today.

There are many different types of people in this world. People with arms, people without arms, people with scars from all they've been through, people of all different kinds of weight and skin colors. But what matters most is that we're all people.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57491
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37029
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958766
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191085
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments