WHY ARE WE SO COMFORTABLE WITH BODY SHAMING WOMEN?

Everywhere there’s an ad for some product that promises to do something on a woman’s body.

“Are you fat? Take this and lose weight instantly.”

“Have stretch marks? Apply this and they are gone.”

“Don’t like something! Buy this miracle solution.”

I’m not surprised that marketing is preying on the fears and worries of women. I expect it as they are trying to sell products.

What gets me, is that the effectiveness of these tactics hasn’t gone down and that there isn’t more outrage.

WHY ARE WE SO COMFORTABLE WITH BODY SHAMING WOMEN?

Is it so ingrained in our thinking that beauty can only exist in perfection?

Is it that people feel entitled to JUDGE the appearance of another?

Do we project our own doubts and sensitivities onto others?

Why do we need others to approve of our appearance?

Who are we trying to impress?

Why can’t we be happy with ourselves and our inherent beauty?

I could go on and on, but you get the point.

WHY ARE WE SO COMFORTABLE WITH BODY SHAMING WOMEN?

I think this issue begins and ends with each one of us. Marketing is just speaking to people willing to listen. If it didn’t cause us to go out and buy their products, it wouldn’t be there.

The solutions have to center around becoming more confident in ourselves and our value. We can’t allow others to define this for us. They can’t be the judge and jury for how we feel about ourselves. We can’t give away that kind of power.

HOW DO WE FIGHT THIS BATTLE?

• Be comfortable with your imperfections.
• Realize that doubt is ok. A temporary doubt should not cause a permanent change in how we look at ourselves.
• Stop comparing your appearance to others.
• Don’t judge other women’s bodies.
• Focus on being healthy instead of a certain look.
• See the beauty in others.
• Don’t tolerate those engaging in body shaming.
• Ignore marketing that objectifies and shames women.

Progress can only be made one person at a time. Each of us has to commit to having a stronger self image. This has to bear fruit in the decisions we make, the products we buy, and how we relate to others.

Then and only then can we stop BODY SHAMING WOMEN.

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