To all the skinny women in the world,
I have no idea what it is like to be in your shoes. I am enough of an adult to be able to say that as far as being skinny shamed goes, I don’t have a clue. I have always been overweight, and I’ll always be chunky. I have accepted that.
However, I know that neither you nor I are completely oblivious to skinny shaming. In recent years, there have been a significant amount of requests to end fat shaming. Fat shaming seems to be more popular because, from my personal experience, it is far more violent and frequent.
I have no idea what it is like to be in your shoes. I am enough of an adult to be able to say that as far as being skinny shamed goes, I don’t have a clue. I have always been overweight, and I’ll always be chunky. I have accepted that.
However, I know that neither you nor I are completely oblivious to skinny shaming. In recent years, there have been a significant amount of requests to end fat shaming. Fat shaming seems to be more popular because, from my personal experience, it is far more violent and frequent.
That being said, we all know there is the opposite end of the spectrum: being harassed for being too thin. I may not understand what that is like personally, but I have seen and heard it far too many times.
The comments received are part of the same formula. They start off with some piss poor excuse for concern like “oh, you’re so thin…you look hungry” And they are followed by some other half assed solution such as “if you ate more, you’d be healthier. Problem solved.” I get that part. As a fat girl, I get told to put down the fork and people expect that to magically cure my obesity.
These remarks do not work. You being told to eat more does not make you invincible to body shaming and it also does not guarantee you to gain weight.
These remarks do not work. You being told to eat more does not make you invincible to body shaming and it also does not guarantee you to gain weight.
In fact, writer Dana Oliver shares some of her experiences being made fun of for her weight. She explains that being judged for being too skinny was “hurtful and demeaning”. And guess what? To this day, she is still very thin. However, she is healthy and she is beautiful.
Ms. Oliver does pose an interesting thought, though. Her article is titled “Skinny Shaming Sucks Too, You Know.” People are so focused on fat shaming that they completely miss an entire group of women dealing with the same issues. Hence, she shares her side of the story hoping to gain support to such an under-attended problem.
I know that I personally never hear someone defend against skinny shaming. People automatically assume really skinny girls have eating disorders, which is a pretty extreme assumption if you ask me. Does someone really have to be mentally ill to be skinny? Here’s a hint: if you said ‘yes’ to the following question, you are wrong.
According to Early to Rise online, it has been proven that some people have naturally fast metabolisms due to genetics. Because of this, it may be more difficult to gain weight. Also, while some people may not have mental disorders, there are many physical complications that could stop someone from gaining weight. These range from thyroid issues and emphysema which make this process even more difficult.
Now, I’m not a doctor. Yet last time that I checked, I couldn’t see a person’s thyroid (and whatever issues it may have) just by one glance. I also can’t see how amazing of a metabolism you may or may not possess. Therefore, it’s ridiculous to jump to conclusions and label you with an eating disorder. That’s actually a pretty insane mentality for anyone to have. I assume those who are reiterating these comments are human as well. They can’t decipher how or why you are skinny either.
Along with this, I tried to do some research to back up my argument that ‘skinny shaming’ does not work. Would you like to know what I found?
Study after study about the adverse effects of fat shaming on women. Yes, this is indeed a problem, but thin women have experienced multiple effects due to shaming as well. I had to dig really deep before I could find anything remotely related to thin women and body shaming. Why are we ignoring this?!
I’m here to tell you that you need to be represented. Society dictates that women need to look a certain way, but people rarely focus on the pressure for skinny women to stay thin while simultaneously not being too thin. It’s a double edged sword.
I’m here to tell you that you need to be represented. Society dictates that women need to look a certain way, but people rarely focus on the pressure for skinny women to stay thin while simultaneously not being too thin. It’s a double edged sword.
What amazes me is how I never hear you speak against it. There’s no defense anywhere. All of these horrible comments are just swept under the rug like dust. That’s because as a society we value skinny, even if it is beyond the point of being healthy. Ads are constantly targeted toward skinny promotion (see below). Up until recently, the modeling industry encouraged women to be as thin as possible. We can’t just keep ignoring this problem. And that’s coming from a fat girl’s standpoint.
I don’t care what society dictates. It’s not okay to harass anyone for how their body looks.
Ladies, just because you’re thin does not mean all of your life’s problems are solved. You are still critiqued for how you are shaped. But let this letter be a reminder: do not take it. Defend yourself. Tell any nay-sayer that they can keep their comments to themselves. Just because you endure shaming does not make you any less beautiful. People need to realize that we as women (hell, as humans) come in all different shapes and sizes. It is impossible for us all to obtain the exact same body shape. As long as you are healthy, what does it matter? Hint: it doesn’t.
Ladies, just because you’re thin does not mean all of your life’s problems are solved. You are still critiqued for how you are shaped. But let this letter be a reminder: do not take it. Defend yourself. Tell any nay-sayer that they can keep their comments to themselves. Just because you endure shaming does not make you any less beautiful. People need to realize that we as women (hell, as humans) come in all different shapes and sizes. It is impossible for us all to obtain the exact same body shape. As long as you are healthy, what does it matter? Hint: it doesn’t.
Remember to breathe. Remember to stand up for yourself and others. And while you may be under-represented, know that you are definitely not alone. I may not be a skinny women, but I know what it’s like to hate your body. Our self-hatred needs to stop now.
I know I will be encouraging women of all sizes to defend you when you need it. You don’t have to be ignored any longer. #NoBodyShame
Sincerely,
Sidney Brooke Whitted (a fat girl)
I know I will be encouraging women of all sizes to defend you when you need it. You don’t have to be ignored any longer. #NoBodyShame
Sincerely,
Sidney Brooke Whitted (a fat girl)