Body image has been a controversial topic among women since the beginning of time.
We’ve gone through phases of “tall and slim” being the accepted body type, “short and curvy”, “coke bottle”, etc.
And of course, there’s always been the skinny vs. fat debate.
Right now, we seem to be in the time where the coke bottle body type reigns superior in society.
So, after hearing comment after illiterate comment, I’m fed up and ready to share my piece on this whole body type prejudice thing because yes, the prejudice does exist here.
I’ve never been the smallest girl.
I mean, I’m mad short (5’1 ½ in. to be exact), but I’ve never had a flat stomach or anything like that growing up, I was even a fat baby.
Now, I wasn’t necessarily big either, I always lived in that in-between body type space.
As I grew older and my size began increasing, I became more and more aware of the different prejudices concerning women’s body image (and even unintentionally developing my own).
We have all heard these comments before.
“Girl, stop calling yourself fat, I’m bigger than you.” (I’ve been guilty of this)
“You need to have a thigh gap.”
Or because most of our communication is nonverbal, we see this.
*rolls eyes when she hears a smaller girl talk about gaining weight*
*side eyes when she sees a bigger girl in form-fitting outfits*
Obviously, body type prejudices stem from insecurities.
Usually, the body type that you hold a prejudice against has a feature that you don’t have (a flat stomach, a big butt, etc.).
Yes, there are some prejudices that are just driven by societal influences with no insecurities involved, but most of the time this is not the case.
So how do we overcome this?
Well let me start from the curvier perspective, since I’m leaning towards that side nowadays.
Stop invalidating a smaller-framed woman’s experience of feeling “fat” or wanting to gain weight.
Eating disorders are a real thing people.
We’ve got to take our own biases out and look at the situation from an objective point of view.
The same thing can hold a completely different meaning to different people.
Your goal weight may be their trigger weight.
Please digest that.
The way you view different body types isn’t the only view there is.
Don’t be ignorant.
For the smaller-framed chicks, stop being so judgmental of woman who carry more weight.
Being smaller doesn’t necessarily mean being healthier.
Stop making unwarranted diet or workout recommendations.
Every woman doesn’t want a flat stomach and a thigh gap.
Also, stop being shady about clothes that may fit too tight, because if we’re being frank, those kids size bikini tops you wear aren’t the most flattering either.
Please digest that.
For women of all sizes, be careful of the “compliments” you give other women on their bodies.
Making remarks about someone’s big boobs may actually trigger a present insecurity.
Making remarks about someone’s small legs may actually trigger a present insecurity.
Especially when those comments are delivered in a callous manner, it can offensive even if that wasn’t your intention.
And I know this may be frustrating and seem nitpicky.
Y’all probably like, “well, dang, what can I say?!”
I’m not saying that you have to stay mute, no matter what you say, someone will find fault in it.
I’m just saying be more conscientious of your words before they leave your mouth.
And be more conscientious of your facial expressions before they cross your face (I need SEVERE help with this one).
There are so many odds stacked up against us as it is, we don’t need any division amongst ourselves.
And that’s it and that’s all!
Let me know what body type prejudices you’ve encountered in the comments below and on our social media pages!
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