What is Body Shaming?
“We are our own worst critic” is often a phrase we use to describe when we, as individuals, are too hard on ourselves. For most people, it is a natural tendency to always be better, faster and stronger however this craze for becoming better can result in severe mental health consequences, especially when it comes to our physical appearances. The media has commonly portrayed overweight characters as the running joke of the show, resulting in “fat jokes” and a severe manifestation of self-doubt known as body shaming. Body shaming is known as the action or practice of expressing humiliation about another individual’s body shape or size; a form of bullying that can result in severe emotional trauma, especially at a young age. Body shaming is done by parents, siblings, friends, enemies, and schoolmates and is often portrayed in the media. “Why is she wearing that? It is not flattering at all.” Or “I am so ugly compared to her I will never find a date” are common thoughts and phrases used that are examples of body shaming. Negatively commenting about the size or shape of anyone’s body can be extremely damaging to them potentially leading to low-self esteem, anger, self-harm and even mental health disorders, specifically body dysmorphic disorder.
Body shaming manifests in many ways:
Criticizing your own appearance, through a judgment or comparison to another person.
Criticizing another’s appearance in front of them
Criticizing another’s appearance without their knowledge.
No matter how this manifests, it often leads to comparison and shame, and perpetuates the idea that people should be judged mainly for their physical features.
Sadly, body shaming occurs among both men and women of all different shapes and body sizes. Body shaming has included both criticisms of being “too fat”, or “too skinny”, or even your “complexion” often picking on flaws that are completely irrelevant. Many magazines, social media platforms, and advertisements contribute to body shaming in ways that have started to normalize these damaging behaviours. Many TV shows and movies have fallen into this pattern as well, where the “fat” character is often the subject of criticism and comic relief. With the trending behaviours of celebrity fat shaming on social media, it is important to understand the potential consequences that may arise.
Why does body shaming occur?
Growing up in Nigeria and any other part of the world in front of a mirror can ingrain the conventional notions of beauty and can result in deep seeded self esteem issues. Today, individuals are more accepting of being different from others however with the pressure from social media, young individuals (especially teenagers) are more prone to want to look a certain way. Negative comments and provoking images can drive young girls and boys to engage in unhealthy behaviours in order to change their body type to conform to the norms of society. This may lead to self-injury or cutting, binging and purging behaviours or even full-fledged eating disorders. Individuals with a history of trauma, depression, self-harm, low self-esteem, or borderline personality disorder are more likely to be affected by body shaming and potentially develop an eating disorder or engage in self-harm behaviour.
How to overcome body shaming
Like with any other from of bullying, body shaming will always be present unless you stick up for yourself in a positive way.
You are beautiful in your own way, whether fat, skinny or frail. Keep on being you!, nobody has the right to talk down on you without your consent. There's not a better option to conquering body shaming than self-belief. Make sure to always keep that in mind.
Peace ✌️❤️
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