Why do people think it is okay to pick on people who are overweight?

Question

I am not but it really pisses me of when people do. Also people pick on the disabled. Why is that ok? I have an autistic child and I get really upset when people call disabled people retards etc. What if it happened to them or their children or loved ones. I don't understand how people can be so cruel.

I want to thanks to the overwhelming majority who took the question seriously and the majority of you have given really smart answers. ..................................................I do want to say to mommyofsix .... you are entitled to your opinion and I do respect it, however, I disagree and feel as though you missed my point. It is true that everyone picks on everyone, however The disabled and the overweight tend to get the brunt of it. If a white person insults a black person, it is perceived as racism and is not tolerated. If a man picks on awoman it is considered to be gender bias and women's groups don't tolerate that either etc etc. But somehow the overweight and the disabled get overlooked and it is deemed acceptable and in some cases encouraged. Also about the so called comedians , you bring up a point. I was actually speaking more about situations in everyday life , as" in move you fat *****".But now that you bring it up .........

A comedian who feels the need to insult people to get laughs is not really a comedian. I call that a bully. I don't laugh at those types of jokes no matter who they are aimed at. I happen to have a great sense of humor so that is not the problem. Any one who does laugh at jokes like these are just as guilty as the people who are doing the insulting. In fact that there is a huge part of the problem in why it is considered okay to be cruel and hurtful to the people who are not as fortunate as mainstream America.It IS possible to be an extremely funny and successful comedian without having to resort to demeaning other people for reasons beyond their control.Ellen Degeneres doesn't insult people and She is loved and respected and laughed at by many. Insulting people for laughs requires no talent or intellegence so they do it to make up for what they lack. If you find this humor funny, try to imagine how you would feel if it were child that were the target . Ignorance is not a luxury I have

Answer 1

I have nothing more to add other than what has already been said here except.....

I am so glad to see that so many people on here are not using this question to do just hwat the poster is asking about.

When I click on this questions I expected to see a bunch of answers that were rude at best and downright cruel.

Thanks to all that have answered this question in a manner that redeems society.

Answer 2

People pick on things they don't understand or don't relate to. Sometimes they do it because that is the way they were raised " To Not Have Respect". It's easy for some to make fun of a fat person or a disabled person because they have never walked a mile in there shoes.

None of these are excuses. People need to learn Respect as a child and treat people the way they would want to be treated. It could happen one day that they get some kind of illness that would cause them to become very fat due to a medication they had to take. Or even become brain damaged due to a accident of some sort.

Never say never cause anything can happen. It's the way in which we treat people that will count. One day they will reap what they sow even if they are laughing now. It will not always be that way. Don't hate them or have anger for them it is such a wasted emotion. Feel sorry for them. They are missing out on many friendships and wonderful times and good memories living in there glass house.

Answer 3

Unfortunately it is human nature. When there is something people don't understand or fear they beat it, degrade it, or make fun of it. Some people may fear your child just because s/he can look at something and thinks about it in a different way. They may not understand why a loving god would do that to an innocent child. It is all about being different. Why do kids pick on other kids just because they brought their lunch in from home? It is because kids everybody has to be the same, have the same clothes,wear the same hairstyle, think the same thoughts to be "normal", and if someone does not fit their cookie cutter mold of "normal" that they have to be harassed until they conform and then harassed because now they are poser. The point is no matter how old people become in age their brains don't mature enough to say to them that different is OK. Then they pass on the teaches that different is wrong and the vicious cycle begins again.

Answer 4

Society teaches people competition in almost all areas so it's feasible that people will push to "pick on" or otherwise abuse those that do not fit the stereotypical view of normal. Usually this generally happens when most people are younger and less focused on what's important. When you don't have to fight for anything in this world, you have alot of free time and misspent energy. Usually this view will work itself out in the job force.
I rather regret anyone saying that someone has "chosen a path" to be fat. If you want to know if they chose that state, ask.. do not assume. Not everyone works the same way biologically. There's a 104 lb. asian woman who holds eating records yet I eat healthy and work out when I can and still cannot get below 240 lb. It's not because I choose to be fat or have a poor lifestyle, my frame and body do not support me being small.
In the end, time will prove that no one is safe from anything. Then they'll get the same youthful jeers they once were happy to make.

Answer 5

Ignorance, and culture. Also some kids are raised that it's okay to make fun of others, and that it's encouraged because they see others do it, and it makes them feel like they're in the "in crowd," or that they're in on the joke. I'm overweight myself (I have PCOS) and have been fortunate enough that noone has ever said anything to me in a cruel way about it, however I've never really had like a set group of friends in high school that accepted me. But in college, I got involved, joined a sorority, and am happy with my life. Do I wish I could shed a few pounds? Yes. Have I tried? Oh yes. Am I going to let it get to me? No, because I'm stronger than that, and I know that I deserve the best. Just my thoughts on it.

Answer 6

It is not ok, but people tend to feel morally superior to the overweight as in "I'd never let myself go that way" I once worked at a hospital where a 400 lb. girl was hospitalized for complications related to her weight and the thin doctors were making fun of her behind the unit counter and these are people that should have known and were educated to know better since there are medical conditions that can and do lead to obesity. I think it is because the cultural bias is to assume that "normal" is thin and even anorexic (Horray for Spain that just forbad underweight models from going on their cat walks!) As for the disabled, mentally retarded.. it is just plain mean to make fun of them-but again it stems from the source of all prejudice :pride and a misplaced sense of superiority over one's fellow human beings.

Answer 7

I understand how you feel. My brother has a learning disability and people have picked on him his whole life. I have spent my life trying to protect him and shelter him. I think its because people finally meet someone who they think is a little more worse off then them and they use that as fuel to make themselves feel superior by making fun of that person or what have you. Its all a real messed up morale, confidence, and self esteem booster for them. Yes its wrong and they know that, but this is the only way they can feel good about themselves is at someone elses expense. Someone who happens to be less fortunate then them.

Answer 8

A lot of people can be so rude and insensitive, and it's not okay. I don't really know why people do it, I think it's because making fun of others makes them feel superior. But it shouldn't, all they are doing by insulting someone is bringing themselves down to a lower level. I wear a "veil" because I am muslim, and every now and then I get people giving me rude comments and stares. I'm used to it now because I've been wearing it for almost 4 years, but sometimes it really hurts my feelings. I am not hurting anyone by doing it, and I am a lot nicer than a lot of other people I know. I hold doors for strangers, I help people out on the bus if they don't have enough money, I will help someone if their stuff dropped on the floor. I don't think me wearing the veil and being a muslim makes me better than anyone else because we are all equal. Don't let people get to you honey, your son is a person just like the rest of us. Those people being rude is more of a reflection on them then it is on you.

Answer 9

people tend to pick on people that are "easy" targets. Different from them in some way, but unable or unwilling to fight back. It has become taboo to pick on someone for race or religious reasons and in a lot of cases it is illegal too. There are many people suing over it. But somehow "fat" is something everyone can pick on and get away with. 9 times out of 10 the "fat" person hears the comments, but is too ashamed to fight back. A disabled person may not even understand the fact that they are getting picked on, and if they do, usually they are too frightened to say anything as well. I have 2 boys aged 7 & 9 and have repeatidly told them I will NOT tolerate any form of bullying or harrassment on their part. My eldest was actually a "big" brother to a boy with down's syndrome in his school because no one else would play with him. It disgusts me as much as it disgusts you. People need to deal with their own misgivings before pointing out others. Like the old saying goes "people in glass houses should not throw stones"

Answer 10

I'm sorry to hear that people treat you in such a rude manner. It's just wrong to pick on ANY one for ANY reason. I think people picking on others are insecure and don't have any self-confidence, also they are not happy with themselves. In order to make themselves feel better, they pick on others. Maybe the best thing for you to do is completely ignore them and their remarks, although it's very difficult to. I really wish I could say or do something to make you feel better!!! Best wishes to you and your child.