Title: Body Shaming: What Is It & Why Do We Do It?
Source: Walden Behavioral Care, Erika Vargas
Date: N/A
URL: https://www.waldeneatingdisorders.com/blog/body-shaming-what-is-it-why-do-we-do-it/
Summary: This source identified about body shaming and how this behavior occurs in society. Most people struggle with their physical appearance and are mixed with the term of ‘imperfections’. Body shaming happens to anyone and can be seen everywhere, it is still common. Frequently sitcoms often make jokes about people’s bodies as well as media messages, consequently leading to shame and comparison, media typically reinforce that a person should fit in the standards, or otherwise, you will be a body-shaming target. The author also implied three main manifests of body-shaming including ‘criticizing our own appearance’, ‘criticizing another’s in front of them’, and ‘criticizing another’s without their knowledge’. (If you want more information regarding these manifests, please read more in the website's URL above).
Response: In the last section ‘how do we challenge body shaming?’, then the author implied ‘identify someone who is body-positive’; my group and I totally agree with this point of view, it is really realistic to us and is a helpful guide to overcome the negative norms - by finding someone who is body-neutral and has positive thinking will help us from the internalized criticism, it also helps you to gain physical love and think positively with people around you as well.
Questions (from the group discussion):
- Based on our team’s experience, have you ever body-shaming your own appearance? If so, then what is it about? (If you don’t want to say, it is alright to skip this question)
- Have you/ your friends/ family ever criticized others’ physical appearance? if so, then what are your reactions toward that situation?
- If you could tell a person who has been affected by body shaming, what would you say to them?
