Do you think it's more socially acceptable for men to be overweight than women?

Question

Do you think it's more socially acceptable for men to be overweight than women?
this issue was raised on a topical discussion i heard last night. someone brought up the issue that being underweight was quite 'acceptable', yet an overweight woman was not!? what do you think?

Answer 1

While I think both are frowned upon in our fitness and weight obsessed society, I definitely think that it is more acceptable for a man to be overweight than a woman.

I also totally agree that people think it is ok for a woman to be underweight, and overweight is not.

I'm not overweight, but I'm not thin either, I'm just stalky, short, and have some curves, and I am considered "fat" while I have a friend who looks like she is extrmely malnourished and like the wind could blow her over, and that is considered attractive.

I'm very healthy, I exercise regularly, eat well, take my vitamins, etc. but I'm just not obsessed with being thin. My husband loves me as I am, and I am not unhealthy, so why should I try and starve myself into a size zero?

Blame it on society and the media. The media pushes these TOTALLY unrealistic photos of what "beauty" is supposed to be. Women who are airbrushed, made up, and have their clothes taped exactly the right way. It's sad that this causes so many young women to think that they are ugly or fat, simply because they do not fit an unrealistic idea of beauty.

I think what we need are more campaigns like that of "Dove" and their campaign for "real beauty". I applaud them for trying to make some changes and using real women with real curves in their ads.

Answer 2

Many people are disgusted by overweight women with all the fat that hangs down and such. Yes, being underweight to an extent is acceptable but underweight enough that does not make you anorexic. Being anorexic, is not socially acceptable. I would know. I had anaorexia before and people talked crap about me. They made fun of me behind my back... trying to say I probably made myself throw up or that I would not be able to fit in juniors clothing. Now that I have gained weight people accept me more and tell me I look better. But I beg to differ.

Yes, it is socially acceptable for men to be fat than women. I don't know why but fat girls are not pleasing to the mind.

Answer 3

Yes it is more accepted that a man be overweight than a woman, look how many TV shows have overweight men as one of the main characters and they are all married to skinny wives. Overweight women are unfairly treated in society.

Answer 4

Yes, but conversely, it is more acceptable for women to be underweight than men.

Stereotyped woman - delicate and small
Stereotyped man - strong and big

Don't obsess over it too much. I am a 5'5" guy who weighed 115 and my classmates still voted me most popular in school. Force of personality can be much more influential than stereotypes. Overweight women and puny men shouldn't mope about it. Deal with the hand that god dealt us.

Answer 5

Without question. Take one look at network tv-you always see an overweight loaf with a thin, beautiful wife. Of course, men do not have the pressure to be attractive that women do. The double-standard lives on....

Answer 6

The acceptance of being overweight in society as whole is based on the culture and status of the person making the judgment or opinion but what is most important is whether or not a person is healthy.

Answer 7

You know its sad how people only accept certain people today, i have noticed alot of times where overweight guys always seem to use there personality to flaunt around instead of there weight meaning that they cover there weight through there personality and most people generaly pay attention to there personality. Where as most women flaunt there weight they flaunt what they have and they dont hide it or cover it up by using there personality as the attraction to them and than you have some that do both use there weight to flaunt around and there personality. I accept everyone i dont care how much they weigh or how much make up they have on or how much money is in there purse/wallet we are all humans and we should all get along and it shouldnt be what we look like anymore.

Answer 8

I am a man , and I have a general distain for big fat dudes ...... where I understand that some gals have a real hard time with weight issues, I say its more acceptable for a lady than a man ..... I mean a man being way fat is a sign of lazyness and gluttony ...... A lady is kinda designed to pick up weight, espically when they get pregnant the body changes and things seem not to be the same anymore .... a man has absoutley no excuse ......

Answer 9

Men can be overweight and still be very attractive. Most men find overweight in women unattractive, even if they themselves are fat! Its the double standard. Men look, not only good, but often even better with some gray hairs and a few wrinkles. Not so for women. Its attrociously unfair and I hate hate hate hate it.
But is there anything we can do about it??? I'm guessing NO!

Answer 10

Another topic that's judging how women should dress(skirt over the knees), weight(size 4 model), walk (like model), behave(not like men for sure), even how to give birth (abortion illegal), hair (red headed more nasty...or stupid blond...), like you think women are less attractive with a fat ass or a big belly why should I enjoy watching a fat man sitting in a coach watching TV??? who cannot ride a horse properly or literally ! who cannot catch is breath when you're jogging! who is eating a lot ! who is unable to stand up for you when he has to; because he will surely have a low self-esteem!! Perhaps they think everything that self proclaim dominant gender does or think is normal for them it should certainly be the same way for all women . Well My answer will be this : as much the men like to enjoy the physical beauty or personality , women enjoy very much looking at an nice good looking man (Halle berry's boyfriend for example or Hugh Jackman.. Orlando Bloom... Bruce Willis old but in shape ... George Clooney best example ever.. ageing pretty well.. Keannu Reeves... old but still in good shape or better Mattew Macaunaughee have a look at those abs!! even better Vin Diesel Hello !!!) So please gentlemen cut the crap unless you pay for it some women will pretend to ignore your over weight !!!!