Fat Shaming! Im sure we’ve all heard the term before. Recently it’s hit the headlines, in light of the James Corden v Bill Maher argument.
But what does fat shaming actually mean?
Fat shaming is mocking or criticising someone who you judge to be overweight.
I hear that Bill recently called for Fat Shaming to make a comeback saying something along the lines of “Fat-shaming doesn’t need to end, it needs to make a comeback” and “Shame is the first step in reform”
Wow I thought…. Shocking isn’t it! But is there some truth in this?
I think the justification for this, is to make someone feel insecure by making statements such as “you’ve put on a bit of weight” – this then triggers awareness, acceptance and a desire to ‘do something about it’. I guess in some ways people feel that they are helping by doing this.
On the other hand some people simply take pleasure in calling people ‘fat’ and making them feel bad about their appearance.
I understand there are numerous articles in the media on how obesity is putting a strain on our NHS due to obesity or conditions caused by, or made worse by obesity rising.
But why is it okay to assume that somebody being ‘overweight’ stems from laziness or not caring.
What about people who are having medical treatment which causes them to put on weight, what about people using steroids to treat health conditions and this has caused them to put on weight? – Are we tarring them with the same brush?
But while I’m here can we also talk about skinny shaming… throwing it back to 2014 when I was at my slimmest and unhappiest and I certainly wasnt healthy. But would still deal with unsolicited comments usually from colleagues.
Oh you’re so skinny, You don’t need to loose anymore weight, You don’t even need to go to the gym.
It’s interesting that for the most part nobody considered that my frame being small may not have been intentional and I was working to change that.
Intentionally making somebody feel bad about their appearance is never going to be okay.
If we have an issue with someones appearance or their way of life. Who are we to voice it and tell them to change themselves?
I think society has now become more accepting of all body shapes and sizes and I don’t think there is a place for Fat (or skinny) shaming in today’s society.
I think things are changing in the media and we are starting to see a more diverse range of brand representatives of all shapes and sizes.
I think in society now things are changing and we are a lot more PC there is a lot that wouldn’t be deemed politically correct or acceptable to say in public. Are we taking it too far? or are we finally starting to consider how our words may affect others and how we actually sound saying these things out loud?
To sum up- in my opinion fat shaming will never be okay and in my eyes doesn’t have a place in a ever progressive society.
Disclaimer: all opinions stated on this blog are my own and are not presented as fact.
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