Young girls and boys are more active on social media then ever before. With new social networking sites and ways to share popping up all over the place these young minds are influenced by everything and anything. Over many years the ideal body shape has been twisted and tweaked. Due to this "ideal" shape being portrayed so heavily in the media it has created a negative view to anyone who doesn't conform to it. Hence forth we have body shaming.
Body shaming can be done by other people, such as friends, family and even strangers. It involves insulting someone for simply being shaped differently or even just negatively commenting on someone's weight or size. Some people don't even realise it's happening to them, especially when it comes from a close friend or family member.
The reason it has become such a concern for young people is because it's happening a lot more on social media and kids everywhere are seeing it. Accepting it. Not fighting it. Society has always obsessed over how much you weigh and how thin/small you are. Which leaves a big problem for larger people or curvier people. People shaped differently. People with wider hips or shoulders. Tall girls and short men. (Men are supposed to me tall and women shorter then men. Yep that's sexist. I know!) These teenagers are exposed to these things by the media, social networking sites, celebs, family and even school.
The comments they hear downgrading body types starts to effect their own body images. They start to feel as if they should change. They become uncomfortable in their own skin and sometimes they even start to body shame others themselves. Having such a negative view of yourself can lead to all sorts of things, such as eating disorders and mental health issues. Society's standards are unrealistic as most men and women don't conform to the "ideal" shape and only a small minority actually fit it. Because of this photoshop has become normal to use in the media and online. This is such a negative thing to be showing such young minds, allowing them to be sucked into the false images of their fave celebs. They are forced to aspire to certain body shapes that don't actually exist in the real world. Also giving these young people access to these tools let's them change their selves to make others like them, it doesn't allow them to accept and love their bodies.
A lot of body shaming is aimed towards larger/curvier men and women. Body shaming trolls excuse their disgraceful comments by calling these people "unhealthy" "unfit". Telling people not to love them selves because being that size causes health issues and they should be ashamed to show their bodies. (Key phrase: "Their bodies") However I have never understood this mentality because you can't shame someone into changing their body. It's a personal decision to make, and even if they are unhealthy or unfit do they not deserve to love themselves and be happy. Just because they are bigger and perhaps unhealthy doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to show off what they look like. Many larger or curvier people may be unhealthy and sharing a nice picture or themselves isn't them endorsing their lifestyle. It's them being positive and loving themselves. Also how many times do I have to repeat, curvy does not equal unhealthy and thin doesn't equal healthy.
Whilst the media/social networking sites are full of body shaming society has slowing been moving towards a more accepting attitude towards people of all shapes and sizes. With more plus size models, questioning of unhealthy body images/role models and celebration of different body types the world is ever so slowly moving some where positive for all. But alas the Internet is still plagued with hateful comments telling people to "lose weight" or "cover up". So how can we change this? Here are a few ideas:
1. Influences
There needs to be more positive influences online/in the media. More focus on a mix of body shapes not just the same shape over and over again. The fashion world needs to be more accepting of bigger men/women, catering for their needs in all shops not special ones for plus size. Also they need to question what plus size is because it definitely isn't a size 12. While we are at it can we eradicate the use of the word plus size, it's so oppressive (I know I have used it a lot in this article but that is due to lack of a better word.) Furthermore society needs to stop pressuring women into being thin to fit in, and instead idolise being healthy. Women and men of all shapes and sizes should be treated the same everywhere.
2. Role models
We need a variety of good role models, who spread good messages, who focus on body positivity and can help better young people. A good role model for young girlscould be Meghan Trainor, who recently deleted a whole music video after finding out someone photoshopped her without her say. She later re-uploaded the original video and addressed that she loves the way she looks. She don't need no photoshop.
A good role model for young boys could be Prince Fielder who slammed body critics who called him plus size after posing nude on a sports magazine. He said being big doesn't mean you can't be athletic and that's very true.
3. Positive movements/groups
A relatively new event at the moment is the "golden confidence pool party".
Which involved larger women going to a private pool part and wearing their swimsuits with pride. It's all about accepting yourself and being part of a positive group.
Another movement is "the body positive" which is a group that specialises in teaching people of all ages self care and giving them the confidence to complete their life goals. It does this through training sessions and workshops. Finally a final group working towards getting rid of negative body images is the intersectional body image organisation "Adios barbie" which focuses on redefining beauty and power.
So what are some are some ways to expose a body positive lifestyle to young people and what are ways to teach them not to body shame. Firstly we simply have talking to them, explain to them what body shaming and body image is. Give them ways to fight off negative comments and stand up for others. Moderate their social media and try to get them interested in good role models. Help them teach their friends how to love and except themselves. Finally let them be their selves, wear what they want, like different things. Don't force them to conform to the trends and what's in style or what fits their body shape.
To conclude body shaming can lead to so many negative paths so it's up to us to break the social structures set in and love ourselves.
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