![]() ![]() And it’s not just men who describe women in problematic ways. Given the normalization of the male gaze, this has left some men feeling unsure of how to write a positive description. Teens, Social Media And Body Image, Heather GallivanĪttention to fat- and thin-related words in body-satisfied and body-dissatisfied women before and after thin model priming, Tobin et al.There’s been a lot of talk lately about the sexist ways women are described in fiction. You can also visit me in Seattle for body-safe, HAES- and fat-acceptance-based, and LGBTQIAP+-affirming boudoir, portrait and small business sessions. I also sell body- and fat-positive stock images at Representation Matters. I’m a professional photographer who specializes in working with people of all ethnicities and genders, not just the ones whose bodies are likely to be seen in magazines and advertisements. ![]() Hi there! I’m Lindley, pronounced LIN-lee. Here are 40 kind words you can use to describe your large body.Īt the higher end of the weight spectrum.Ĥ0. Let's start a practice of reframing our large bodies by being kind to them, not only in the kinds of images we take in, but in the words we use to describe ourselves. Today, I'd like you to practice substituting positive words for the shame-filled words you were taught. How can we ever feel neutral or positive about our bodies when our only vocabulary to think about or discuss them is full of shame? When the world surrounds us with body shame, we can build a shelter of love for ourselves and our precious bodies instead. I reclaim that word for myself as a neutral description of body size. Generally they're not protesting the actual size of my body, but against these negative connotations.Īfter all, these negative connotations are so powerful that not only are we all familiar with them, but an analysis of 2.2 million social media posts found that "the FAT keyword-based postings and discussions are for the most part misogynistic and negative, often crossing the line into clear cyber-bullying."(4)īut the thing is, I am fat. Culturally, we've attached so many negative traits to this one little three-letter word - lazy, gross, messy, greasy, gluttonous, out of breath all the time - that these people who know me know that I'm not any of those things. "You're not fat, you're beautiful!" they respond. Sometimes when I use this word, people are appalled. I've chosen to reclaim this word because I feel like it accurately describes the size of my body. When I talk about my body, I call it fat. For example, a 2010 study found that body-dissatisfied women fixate on weight-related words more than body-satisfied women and that body dissatisfaction is correlated with higher BMI.(2) The study didn't try to figure out why this occurs, but it's no surprise to me both that larger people are unhappier with their bodies and that we pay more attention to the words used to describe us, given how often those words are used as weapons.Īnother study found that "Women speaking negatively about the size and shape of their bodies is a phenomenon that both reflects and creates body dissatisfaction." (3) The words we use - and others use about us and to us - affect our body image, too. women don’t like how they look, and 34% of men are dissatisfied with their bodies. We know from studies that around 80% of U.S. These media and cultural portrayals affect us. We are only seen lumbering down the street in news clips, without heads so that we are not only dehumanized, but "protected" from the shame of being seen in such a disgusting body. Those of us who live in large or very large bodies really only see ourselves described in the media one way: negatively. And the farther from that photoshopped, unreal ideal of perfect we are, the less bodies like ours are represented. Body shame surrounds us: in the media, in popular culture, in songs and movies and TV shows and magazines. ![]() Our feelings about our bodies don't come from nowhere. Hating the way we look not only feels miserable, but is linked to substance abuse, self-harm and eating disorders. Obese.ĭid those words take you back to school, to stares and whispers, to concerned relatives clucking their tongues? Did shame instantly wash over you? You can consider how unfortunate it is that they have such an exaggerated sense of self-importance that they think you should care about what they think." - Ragen Chastain "If someone suggests that you aren't beautiful, you can consider how sad it is that they have such a limited view of beauty.
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