The Problem Behind Skinny Shaming | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Problem Behind Skinny Shaming

Body critiquing is a problem no matter what.

28
The Problem Behind Skinny Shaming

Each year the Victoria’s Secret fashion show creates a buzz on social media. Men and women take to online outlets to voice their opinions. Tweets range from anything about the fashion, the music, how this makes women want to hit the gym more, how hot the models are, or how grossly thin the models are.

Society is extremely focused on how media molds the minds of young girls and the view they have of their own bodies. Fat shaming is a huge ordeal and flat out wrong. Fat shaming is when someone is put down for their weight and are made to feel lesser because they do not fit an ideal, societal body. Society advocates to love yourself no matter what and fat shaming is an awful thing to do.

Why do we not focus on body shaming in general though?

Although I firmly believe young girls should not be taught that thin is the best body to have, I also believe it is crucial to teach young girls to love their bodies no matter what.

We focus so much on fat shaming, but isn’t skinny shaming just as bad? Both are body shaming and both make one feel that their body is not adequate.

One Victoria’s Secret model, Bridget Malcolm, took to Instagram with her opinions on skinny shaming. (Read her full story: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/n...)

Her caption of a selfie read: “Can we STOP with the skinny shaming please? I am extremely fit and healthy and am not in the slightest way anorexic. I have worked hard to look like this and am proud of my body. I may not be the curviest, but I am a woman who has every right to look the way I do. Maybe today take a look inside yourself and wonder why you feel the need to shame strangers over the Internet about their bodies. Peace and love to you all — let's change the conversation.”

People will tweet about how the models in the show look unhealthy or too thin, but the problem with that is that it is still a body criticism. We can not tell someone who is curvy and heavier to love her body no matter what, but then tell a girl who is thin that she looks sickly. That makes the whole body love movement ironic and contradictory.

Here is what we should be telling young girls- love yourself no matter what.

Fat shaming is wrong, but so is skinny shaming. Body shaming is the problem here.

I know the argument could be that media needs to display real women, but the models on that runway are real women and that is how they choose to live their lives. No they are not the majority of the day to day women, but they are still women who are affected by people critiquing the way the look. We have no room to judge or shame them for their appearance.

I agree that girls should not be taking extreme lengths to appear a certain way. I believe everyone needs to embrace what is natural for them.

Stop fat shaming, stop skinny shaming, and stop body shaming. Love what is natural for you and do not judge others for their bodies.

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

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

2422
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16992
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3638
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments