“What people do not understand is that calling someone too skinny is the
same as calling someone too fat; it’s not a nice feeling.” - Kendall
Jenner
According to Urban Dictionary, body shaming is when someone is being shamed based on their body type. This type of shame can directly negatively impact a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Most of us, if not all, are familiar with the term “fat shaming,” but what about “skinny shaming?”
Skinny shaming is when someone is being shamed for being too thin by others who are constantly making comments about that person’s size with the intention of making that person feel bad for looking the way that they do. Skinny shaming can range from a comment like, “you are too skinny” to something as outlandish as, “only dogs go for bones: real men like curves,” a comment meant to suggest that a real man would not be able to love you because of how thin you are. One of the most commonly heard skinny shaming phrases is, “go eat a cheeseburger.”
“Go eat a cheeseburger” has the same effect on someone’s self-esteem who is thin as “go eat a salad” would on someone who is heavier. The truth is that both comments are not OK. Both of those comments make that individual question their body image and feel insecure. Whether your comment is made from sincere concern for that individual’s health or not, those comments are hurtful. It makes that person feel like there is something wrong with the way that they look and we receive enough of that insecurity from the media.
In 2010, Sophia Bush, an actress known for her role on the TV series One Tree Hill, wore a T-shirt that read, “0 is not a size” from her clothing line she launched as a sign of protest against the clothing brand Urban Outfitters after they were selling a shirt that read “Eat less” across the chest. Of course Bush’s intentions were in the right place but what makes “0 is not a size” any better than “Eat less?” Nothing. Zero is a size; it is a size I have been almost my entire life as a lot of other women are too. We should not be made to feel bad about being thin, especially when it is something we cannot control, just like someone should not be made to feel bad about themselves by being told they should “eat less.”
What we need to do is become less judgmental and quick to criticize others based upon their looks. As someone who weighs less than 100 pounds and is a little over 5 feet tall, being told I am skinny or tiny has always been one of the first things I hear when I meet someone for the first time. It is not, “I love your shirt,” or “you are so nice;” it’s “you are so tiny” or “do you even eat?” Yes, I am tiny, and yes, I can devour an entire pizza in one sitting, but I am also intelligent, loving, independent, hardworking, honest, etc., but thank you for pointing out the obvious.
There is more to a person than just what they look like. We need to stop romanticizing over a specific body type and instead strive for a more positive mindset and outlook on life. Finding happiness and acceptance within yourself no matter what size you are is what we should all be encouraging one another do, not tearing each other apart based on our body image.
We need to find confidence within ourselves and embrace whatever body type we were given. There is no “perfect” size or “perfect” body. Of course we all want to be healthy, but you do not know someone’s habits just by looking at their body. That person you just told to “go eat a cheeseburger” to could have just finished an entire burrito, and the person you just told to “go eat a salad” could have an eating disorder and may be starving themselves. You cannot pass judgement on someone based on their appearance. Everyone is different. We all come in different sizes and shapes, but what makes each and every one of us beautiful in our own way is the confidence and happiness we exude to others.
