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Fat Shaming is one of the biggest curses of today's society that is adversely impacting women's physical and emotional well-being. It needs to stop ASAP!
Fat Shaming is one of the biggest curses of today’s society that is adversely impacting women’s physical and emotional well-being. It needs to stop ASAP!
I live in a generation where women are supposed to be able to do two things very well: Look pretty and look thin. And whether I like it or not, society tells me to do it every single day. My mum tells me off for having a pimple on my face, I feel bad about sweating so much, and I am always told to eat fruits and vegetables to maintain my ‘healthy’ diet.
The notion of looking your best has also been fueled, in a very large way, by Bollywood actresses and how ‘thin’ they are. Several Hindi film heroines, including Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone are known for having a size zero figure, an image that is slowly disappearing from Bollywood only recently.
The real reason as to why fat shaming is not OK, is because girls should be allowed to be themselves without any conditions.
They should be allowed to wear what they want, feel good about how they look, and wear a beautiful, proud smile every day.
I think it’s time to stand up and assert our rights as women.
Fat-shaming is defined as “the action or practice of humiliating someone judged to be fat or overweight by making mocking or critical comments about their size”. Fat girls often receive snide and degrading remarks about their weight. They are made to think that being fat is a “problem they should get rid of”.
A reason as to why fat-shaming became such a big trend in the first place is because society tells us it’s wrong to be fat. We all see thin girls walking down the ramp, but we haven’t heard so much about plus-size models, have we?
A particular reason as to why the youth, particularly girls, are being affected by fat-shaming everyday is because we are told to eat less, work out more, and be on a constant diet. No one wants to understand that it takes time to look like that, and that being fat is not a problem. Some girls want to be fat, and pudgy. It’s fine. You don’t have to look like a model all the time. You just have to be you.
Several Indian and international celebrities have criticized the fact that everyone needs to have a thin waist, including Tyra Banks, Sonakshi Sinha and Selena Gomez. One of India’s leading actresses, Vidya Balan spoke out against fat shaming in a recent interview. When a reporter asked her, “We’ve seen you mostly in women centric movies, but do you plan on sticking to such movies in the future or have you planned on losing weight and doing some glamorous roles as well?” Vidya shot back, “I’m happy with the roles I’m doing. Maybe, it is you people who need to change their mindsets.”
A recent study conducted by Pennsylvania University also shows that people who have been fat-shamed are also more prone to health risks, and heart diseases (in particular). It can also lead to stress, high obesity rates, and less self-confidence. The very fact that this needs stating is in itself quite sad.
As a final thought, I personally feel that the people who tell us, “Oh, you’ve put on some weight. What happened to you?”, or quietly talk behind our backs saying “Moti ho gayi hai thoda, hai na?” are the ones who need to think about what they are saying, and what they are doing.
To make sure that we develop a strong sense of our self, we need to appreciate everyone, be it short, small, tall, big, fat or thin.
We need to tell ourselves, “Hey, you’re looking good today.” Only then can we truly understand our true worth and become better individuals.
Image Source: Still from The Dirty Picture
I am a student at Mount Carmel College, currently pursuing a course in Communication Studies. I love writing and proofreading! read more...
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Neelu might have outwardly forgiven Ramesh, but in her mind, which once was filled with unconditional love for Ramesh, there was now a seed of resentment.
Ramesh’s footsteps paused at the entrance of the hotel’s ballroom. Inside, his school’s reunion party was going in full swing. The air was heavy, as expensive perfumes and the aroma of food from the buffet table, mingled. There were low murmurs, tinkling laughs and clinks of cutlery.
Ramesh had not wanted to come, knowing that she would be there. She, Neelu, who once had been the love of his life. Taking a deep breath, Ramesh entered the room. His eyes found Neelu almost immediately. She still looked the same. Maybe there was now grey in her hair and a few wrinkles on her face. But her vivacity, her mannerisms were still the same. Things, that had first attracted him.
Arathi Rajagopalan, founder of 'House of Kalart', talks about thinking like a designer & transitioning to thinking like a business owner.
Excerpts from an interview with Arathi Rajagopalan, founder of ‘House of Kalart’ – a fusion jewellery label that merges global aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship.
When did you start ‘House of Kalart’ and what was the intention?
I started House of Kalart in 2017 as a venture where painting, drawing and embroidery are married with metalsmithing to create well-handcrafted fashion jewellery. Along with painting and styling, the venture aims to create a holistic fashion experience for a bold and dramatic woman!” As a child, I had always been fascinated by arts and crafts.
If you are a woman, it is very likely that you have been a target of body shaming - either fat shaming or thin shaming. Can anything be done about this?
If you are a woman, it is very likely that you have been a target of body shaming – either fat shaming or thin shaming.
Body shaming. It was a new word for me. I recall people being teased when were kids for being too fat ‘mota, dhola, fattie’ and the thin ones sometimes ‘sukad bombil, skeleton’ and similar names. It was the obese ones who were mostly the butt of jokes. Much has not changed rather things have gotten worst with people stooping down a level lower by liberally expressing their views against someone on Facebook and Twitter trolling.
I recently read an article – a lady who was on the ‘healthier’ side (read plump) visited a upmarket designer boutique in Bombay looking for a lehenga. She choose something but was curtly informed that they do not have that style in her size. She then asked them where to go to buy this particular piece. The store assistant told her to “go to the gym.” She was so stunned and obviously hurt that she was left speechless.
No matter who or where you are, I am sure each one of us has been body-shamed at some point in life. But have you wondered why people do it?
Body shaming. We’ve all heard this, but what does it really mean? What do you feel when you hear the words ‘beautiful, attractive, fit, slender, handsome, or gorgeous’? It makes you feel happy and confident, right?
But what do you feel when someone calls you ‘ugly, obese, fat, out of shape, dark and short’? Definitely not good, right? These words can be perceived as judgemental, trivialising and condemning. This particular act of nailing down a person’s physical attributes in a negative light is known as ‘body shaming.’