Body shaming is common nowadays. You can see it on social media, or even in real life. There are many types of body-shaming, but today I will be focusing on fat- and skinny-shaming because they are the most common. Body shaming is when someone mocks you for your body type. It is extremely wrong, and I’ll tell you why.
Fat-shaming
First, let’s talk about fat-shaming. Fat-shaming is when you criticize or even humiliate someone just because they are “fat”. Fat-shaming can truly harm the person that is being shamed.
By fat-shaming them, you are very likely making their situation worse. Maybe you think jokingly shaming them will motivate them into losing weight, but in reality, you’re not.
Fat-shaming may come out as intended or as an accident. However, regardless of your intentions, your words can truly harm a person. Fat-shaming comes in many forms, whether you tell them to “just stop eating”, or you look at them differently while walking on the streets, or if you have a rule of “not dating fat people”.
I want to elaborate on my last sentence when I said it’s fatphobic to have a rule of not dating fat people. It is perfectly fine to have a preference, but it’s different when someone overweight wants to date you and your response is “ew, you’re fat”.
There are many effects of fat-shaming. Of course, you’ll make them feel bad, but it’s more than that. As I’ve mentioned above, fat-shaming them will make them feel worse, which decreases the chance of them losing weight. Then, this cycle will just continue to go on and on.
All and all, fat-shaming is a terrible thing, and it shouldn’t happen to anyone. Even if it was just a joke to you, your actions can truly harm the person without you realizing it. The best way is just to not engage in any actions in which you make fun or belittle someone that may be perceived as overweight.
Skinny-shaming
Now, skinny-shaming is more confusing. Skinny-shaming is when a person is criticized for being too skinny, or underweight. Many people believe that skinny-shaming doesn’t exist, or that skinny-shaming is justifiable because who doesn’t want to be skinny? Because of this, skinny-shaming is actually way more common than one might think.
Skinny-shaming is mostly towards girls that look thinner, overlooking the fact that it might be because they have a fast metabolism or they have eating disorders. Skinny shaming will probably make their situation even worse.
Skinny-shaming also comes in many ways. Joking about them not eating is one of the most common. Skinny-shaming is wrong because again, you shouldn’t comment on someone’s body.
Similarities between fat- and skinny-shaming
Skinny shaming and fat-shaming are both body shaming, and they are both making fun of someone for their body image. Both are wrong because it is not your place to comment on somebody else’s body.
Also, skinny-shaming and fat-shaming can both be extremely harmful without you realizing it. Since both have been so normalized, you may be shaming someone even if that was not your intention. Even small jokes can harm a person, and you might make the situation worse.
Also, they are both wrong. Body-shaming is never justifiable. Celebrities and influencers are sometimes body-shamed ruthlessly, and people seem to justify it just because the person has done some bad things. However, hold people accountable for the things they have done, and that should not be an excuse to body shame them.
Differences between the two
Despite the similarities, fat-shaming and skinny-shaming are very different, and here’s why. For starters, fat-shaming is way worse. Although both are very harmful, “skinny” is the beauty standard of society. If you asked anyone which they would rather be, skinny or fat, I would bet that all of them would answer skinny.
Although I do believe that skinny-shaming does exist, it cannot be compared to fat-shaming. Fat-shaming is usually because you despise the person or look down on that person because they are fat, but skinny-shaming is usually out of jealousy. Also, fat-shaming is more common and insidious.
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In conclusion, the best way to navigate these questions is to not comment on other people’s bodies. Their body, their business, not yours. Stop mocking others or making jokes because it is not funny. It’s not so hard to just not shame someone. If you feel uncomfortable looking at them, you’re trash, but just look away. No need to tell people how you feel about their bodies.
Hi Chloe,
It commendable to see someone in year 10 taking an active interest in complex social issues.
For this conversation, I think it’s important to define specificity what body shaming is. If it’s insulting, rude, dehumanising comments, than obviously shaming won’t lead to improved quality of life. That kind of behaviour should be criticised and prevented.
But sometimes wanting people to improve their life is confused with body shaming. Sometimes people have to take an active interest in others to make sure they’re staying safe. That shouldn’t involve insulting them, but it may involve commenting on their behaviour to make sure they understand the consequences of their actions.
Finally, I would also say that calling people “trash” for having a different viewpoint may not be the best way to have them listen you you. When you respect people with different opinions, they will be much more likely to listen to what you have to say, and if you’re right, you can convince them of the truth.