Nathan Forest
nforest@uwyo.edu
The body positivity movement has become all the rage in certain circles in recent years. While this sounds like an inherently positive thing, it is in reality pushing several unhelpful and ridiculous ideas.
One of the most ridiculous ideas propagated by this movement is the idea of “beauty at any size/weight.” For a movement that is against beauty standards for women, they sure seem to be big proponents of imposing standards on men in terms of what men should find attractive and appealing. They press upon men that it is wrong of them to have any standards regarding what physicality they find appealing in women.
I’m not here to say that you can’t look how you want and be as big as you want, but nobody has to find it attractive by his or her own standards. You live your life how you want, but don’t tell me that I have to think anything is attractive and if I don’t think certain things are attractive, I’m a sexist.
This movement is also incredibly one-sided on many issues even though it sounds like an inclusive movement. For instance, the movement heavily focuses on fat acceptance. But this sentiment is not mirrored for people on the other end of the scale who find themselves constantly denigrated just for being naturally skinny.
The movement as a whole also focuses nearly exclusively on women, and acts as though every man is 100 percent comfortable in his own body. This is, from personal experience, not even close to accurate.
The body positivity movement also makes people believe that confidence is something that can be given away and received by another person. But the fact is that true, enduring self-confidence is something that comes from within. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t quick, but feeling comfortable in one’s own skin is a decision that has to be made by the individual.
Not to mention that a little bit of body insecurity, when used and viewed correctly, can be an incredibly good thing. It is feelings of insecurity that will make people want to work out and improve themselves. Insecurity can be an especially strong motivator that pushes people to better themselves in all aspects of their life, not just their bodies. Having goals and working hard to achieve those goals is how true inner confidence is built. But if everyone is told that they don’t need to have goals (fitness or otherwise), they will never achieve their true potential and find that strong inner confidence.
So while the idea of body positivity is a worthwhile pursuit, the movement that has championed this issue is one that is full of problems for many people. At its best it is promoting silly ideas, and at its worst, it is promoting downright dangerous ideas.
Caitlin Tan
ctan@uwyo.edu
Six years ago at 14 years old I was at the height of an eating disorder.
I was diagnosed with anorexia – compulsively exercising and horrified of any food other than fruit and vegetables.
The ultra health and ‘thinspiration’ movements circa 2009 drove much of my disorder. Seeing underweight models in Cosmopolitan and celebrities claiming to only eating 1,200 calories a day fueled my drive to become stick thin.
Therefore, this is why supporting the body positivity movement is crucial. Kymberly Nichole on BlogHer best defined the movement:
“Being body positive is mainly about the decision you make day-today about how to care for yourself and meet your needs,” she wrote. “It’s ideas that may help you find greater well-being in you current body.”
Essentially, body positivity is being comfortable in your own skin. It is not about how much you weigh, eat or exercise but simply just doing what makes you feel good about yourself.
A study conducted on fifth to 12th grade girls showed 69 percent were influenced by the ideal body type displayed in magazines, according to the National Association of Anorexia and Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
That being said, a mere 5 percent of the American population naturally possesses the ideal body type displayed in advertising.
Media has thrived on telling people they need to change their bodies in some way. For example, just pick-up any Cosmopolitan, Seventeen or Shape magazine and it will have articles on “how to loose those last five pounds.”
“If tomorrow, women woke up and decided they really liked their bodies, just think how many industries would go out of business,” Dr. Gail Dines said in an interview.
Even with the reluctant acceptance of plus-sized models, the average plus-sized model is a size eight, where as the average woman is a size 14, according to Everyday Feminism.
Thus, the body positivity movement is just as important as ever.
I’m not saying it is acceptable to condone severe obesity, but rather one should simply support people for who they are as a person. Whether they are fat, skinny, tall, short – these are all descriptors.
“All bodies are good bodies. Just because someone is fat or thin doesn’t necessarily mean that person is unhealthy. And even if someone is clinically unhealthy that doesn’t make them any less worthy of self-love,” according to Everyday Feminism.
Overall, body positivity should not be shadowed by negative stereotypes. It is not condoning obesity or unhealthy habits. It is simply a movement telling people that you are okay, you are loved and you are accepted.
As a 14-year-old girl, I needed that positivity and acceptance in my life more than anything.
