Body shaming is a pervasive issue that affects people of all genders and ages, but it greatly impacts women. According to HelloGiggles.com, a poll by FitRated found that 93 percent of women are being body shamed. Therefore, the aim is to explore its damaging effects and why it is important to promote body positivity and self-acceptance.
Body shaming is the act of mocking or stigmatising someone by making critical comments about the shape, size or appearance of their body, according to google. Women face harmful messages about their bodies, from subtle comments on their weight or appearance to outright bullying and harassment, starting from a young age. For example, being told they look older than their actual age.
Body shaming can worsen anxiety in women, who are often judged more harshly than men on physical appearance, causing negative impacts on mental and physical health.
One of the effects of body-shaming on women is low self-esteem. When one is being ridiculed for her appearance, feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt arise. This can have a ripple effect on one's daily activities, relationships and possibly career.
Body shaming can also lead to unhealthy characters, for instance, eating disorders and compelling exercises. Pressure to have a "perfect" body can lead to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which affects many people resulting to extreme measures, causing health problems and even death.
However, it is never one's fault when you get body-shamed. Some people tend to blame someone's appearance and how they carry themselves. There are strict laws that enforce body shaming in different countries, including in Malawi where body shaming is an offence and is handled based on the type of the source. For example, if it is being done via social media, it is called cyber harassment or bullying and Section 86 of the Electronic Transactions and Cyber security can apply, while if it is done verbally there is a penal code making it an offence. Nonetheless, there is an urgent need to raise awareness about the harmful impact of body shaming and promoting body positivity can help create a culture that values and respects all bodies.
In conclusion, body shaming harms women's mental and physical health. Society must acknowledge this and promote an inclusive environment where all body types are accepted. Women should love and accept themselves regardless of their appearance.
This is an amazing piece. We need more of these as they help us explore deeper situations
That's true and on the other hand it lowers a person's self esteem
There are things in the world that will make you less. But you have to know that whatever your doing is essential to the community even though people's perspectives can be a barricade in your endeavors sometimes. Once Bruce Lee said, "knowing yourself is a labor of love." When you realize your fortune in this world, you can't be distracted by what people will say about your body in terms of your skin tone and shape. In my world, I don't see anything as mediocre or ugly - everything is beautiful. People lack self-esteem because they don't have a purpose or any angle they would like to achieve in life. When you finally have a purpose or a goal, y…
This is deep and interesting.