ladies! do you think we are pressurised into being thin?

Question

it seems that every magazine we read or tv/movie we see we are being bombarded by stick-thin girls. it's sickening to think that society and the media won't accept more curvy ladies,only half-starved ones. what do you think?

Answer 1

As a curvy woman myself yes I do feel pressured to be thin... I can't tell you how many times I've heard over my life time "If you'd only lose 15 pounds...". I was also a competitive gymnast and from the time I was old enough to compete at 5 until I quit when I was 20 all I ever heard was how weighing more than 100 pounds was a sin... I only weighed 120 back then! Now I weigh significantly more and the pressure is ridiculous... It's like if you aren't a waif then you're worthless!

Answer 2

I attend a sourthern California university. If women are being "pressured" into being thin, you wouldn't know it by looking at the women here. And why is that women blame the magazines and media for their insecurity about being fat? There are so many things that a woman can do to get to a healthy weight - I'm not talking model thin here, just fit and healthy. I almost asked a question, "when did it become okay for women to be fat?" I am not talking about 10 or 15 pounds, I am talking about the stuff that hangs out over the top of those god-awful low rise pants/shorts/dresses that you wear. Women love to spend their time and money on manicures and pedicures, hair coloring every week, eye brow shaping, tats, earrings etc. If you want to feel good about yourself, spend some of that time at the gym. All that other stuff you do isn't going to help. Solve your weight problem first.

Answer 3

Yes, I agree with you completely. I recently did a school essay on this topic, and found out many interesting facts proving this theory.

I think a perfect example of a woman that looks healthy and fit is Titanic's Kate Winslet. I recently read an online article where some people were commenting on her body. Joan Rivers said (of Kate's role in Titanic): "If she had just lost 5 pounds, Leo would've been able to fit on the raft!" Keep in mind that Joan Rivers has suffered from an eating disorder herself...

Even Reese Witherspoon has been called chubby! Imagine that. These poor women are healthy, not overweight... Sure, they don't look perfect, but nobody is perfect.

The media is the main blame for this (as I found out in my research for my essay). Runway models, Barbie dolls (which is very disgusting to me... even children are being bombarded by the stick-thin image), and celebrities are all supposed to be thin. There are so many celebrities that have had eating disorders recently: Mary-Kate Olsen had anorexia, Lindsay Lohan had bulemia, and Nicole Richie (even though she hasn't admitted to it) must have some type of ED.

I myself have battled anorexia (although not severe). This has taught me that it is NOT worth it! The media is very influencial on us... we see celebrities on TV everyday, so how could they not be a part of our lives? The true choice lies in what we choose to do, however. I choose to be a healthy, non stick-like person. I work out and eat healthy. There is a difference between being healthy (which is what we all should strive for) and being rail-thin.

Even men are bombarded to look a certain way. They are supposed to be thin and muscular. Children also feel the need to look extra thin... I read somewhere that 3 in 4 children are unhappy with the way they look. These are just little kids!

Overall, I agree with you! We ARE pressured into being too thin. It's all just a form of striving for perfection and self-hatred, and should be stopped!

Answer 4

I think that magazines, and society pressure people to be thin. It is ok to pressure us to be healthy, but not to be thin. That is the only way that magazines can sell. What they don't realize is that they are putting so much pressure on people, because some people "live" by the words of the magazine. I am not fat nor skinny, I am right where I need to be. I will not have anyone or anything define me as a person.

Answer 5

I don't feel pressurised myself, 'cos I just ignore that, even though i buy magazines every week. I'm a UK size 14 and I'm happy with it. My boyfriend (as many other men) doesn't like skinny women. I get guys asking for my phone number nearly every day. I think other women would call you fat when you're actually just healthy just out of jealousy. Also, if you're curvy, you have some boobs and that's what they hate!

Answer 6

I'm no lady, but I agree whole heartedly with that statement. Women are being pressured into being thinner, and looking like actresses and porn stars 24/7. Something else I've also wondered is: Is the media on some sort of quest to create a sexual identity for kids under the age of 16? It seems like everywhere I turn, preteens are being made up to look like they are out looking for dates!

Answer 7

oh yes without a shadow of a doubt we are pressurised to look thin and unhealthy and it's about time more curvy and voluptuous women are accepted by the way they look by society!! I believe that if a person is happy with the way they look that is enough for me..

Answer 8

I think that tv/movies/models is part of it, although I think that some women know how unhealthy that stick-thin look looks, and can still look good..and have a few curves, after all that is how women should look, nice and curvy, not stick thin and board like.

Answer 9

I totally get what you are saying! When we are pressurized like that we end up being too thin! You know this is totally off subject but I am not the thinnest person around but I still have a boyfriend and a great life! So I so get what you are sayin'.

Answer 10

yes you are absolutely right, that is the reason also why everybody is looking for a quick fix diet because everybody needs to be thin and fast, it is amazing what TV and the media doing today. I always say , if you are happy with yourself than stay the way you are.