"Body Shaming"
"You're not fat, you're beautiful."
"Hey skinny, you're so lucky you can eat whatever you want"
These are some of the instances we come across very often. It is called body shaming. Body shaming, as the name implies is an act of making critical, potentially humiliating comments about a person's body size, weight or height. Body shaming is never cool. It is a form of bullying. It can cause physical and mental trauma to the one being body shamed.
We have been body shaming and been body shamed through different portals. Whether it be at school, college, home; social media, newspaper, television, radio, movies, etc. Our culture loves the ideology of a perfect body, whether it be in print, movies, television, or online, seeing someone who doesn’t fit the mold isn’t considered acceptable to some.
“We are our worst critics”, this phrase is a perfect example to show that not others but we, ourselves body shame us. Being perfect has become such an obsession that we are ready to do anything to get that perfect body, perfect smile, perfect skin but rarely we realize that nobody’s perfect.
Body shaming can occur in many forms – whether criticizing one’s own appearance, criticizing other’s appearance in front of them or behind their back. It comes as a result of the pressure from family members, friends, social media to look a certain way. The negative comments and bullying can drive them to involve in any unhealthy behaviors like – dieting, starving, taking unnecessary pills, etc. Some of them even end up their lives due to constant negligence and mocking from the society. Individuals with history of trauma, depression, self – harm, low self-esteem are more likely to be affected by body shaming and potentially develop an eating disorder.
Body shaming equally happens to both males and females. While women are supposed to be a certain size and flawless skin in chauvinistic society, men are also supposed to be tall enough and muscular. It sounds ridiculous but who gave anyone the authority to judge anyone’s body and appearance? Those who do not fit into this particular frame are indeed body shamed.
Talking about myself, I have always been healthy or chubby since childhood. I am a victim of body shaming too. I have heard many remarks related to my body weight and till today I hear them. I just don’t understand that why others should bother about my weight. Staying healthy should be more important than having certain waist size. We should exercise regularly, take balanced diet, avoid junk food and meditate. As long as I am healthy I shouldn’t be bothering about losing that weight. Mostly the hate remarks come from the unknown. I am lucky to have supportive and loving family and few friends who love me for the way I am.
Body shaming will never leave you unless you start accepting yourself and love your body in a healthy and positive way. Staying healthy and fit is important. We should never bother about the negative comments and practice self-love. We should never body shame others and if we see someone being shamed, we should take a stand for them. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and indeed beauty lies in the eyes of beholder. You are truly beautiful if you see beauty in others. In today’s world when everyone is racing and competing to be more perfect than the other, why can’t we just appreciate everyone for what they are? Let’s spread kindness and make the world a better place to live in.
Stay body positive!!!