What is America's obsession with being bone-thin?

Question

Here in America it seems like everyone is obsessed with being skinny. Looking good is on the top of everyone's priority list! There is a fine line between being healthy and so skinny your bones are showing. What's wrong with a woman with curves? Yeah, there is a point where fat is fat, but why are curves now being considered as fat? Not even 80 years ago a size 12 was the perfect size for a woman-now its obese! I would just like to know other people's opinions on this. Would you rather have a woman with curves or bone thin? And why is thin so in now?

Yeah we are an obese nation, I know that. But, everyone wants to be skinny..its ridiculous! It's like the media is telling us what to look like and if we don't then we just aren't good enough! I think we need to stop obsessing over weight so much.

Answer 1

I don't necessarily agree. Maybe a lot of women are obsessed with being bone-thin because the media tells them they have to be - but the idea that MEN are obsessed with it, I think is false.

The reason that the media portrays thin as good, I think, is because thin people carry clothes better, thin people are more photogenic in print & film, etc. Extra-thin people just look better on TV and photos. There are probably other reasons - most likely involving money, since that's the root of everything in a capitalist environment (not saying it's good or bad, just the truth) - but that's part of it.

as far as what men want goes... well sexual attractiveness is to a large degree determined by nature. Men want women with CURVES and this has biological, evolutionary reasons: wider hips on women indicate maturity and the ability to bear children. Being toned (but NOT skinny) is an indication of good health. Healthy breasts (before civilization) would be necessary for feeding babies, etc.

The same thing applies to men. A muscular body means that you're stronger and more able to provide for a mate, and will produce stronger, more fit offspring. A more "masculine" look, with a strong jaw line, etc., means more testosterone, more assertive (and even aggressive) tendencies, etc., and these would have been good things for survival.

In both sexes, symmetry is a general indicator of good genes.

Show almost any man a fit young woman with nice curves and a symmetrical face, and I guarantee the media stereotype will fall flat on its face. Men don't really like anorexic women. corporate america does.

Answer 2

It all has to do with trends and perception! Hundreds of years ago in Rome obese women (and men) were desireable because being fat was a sign of wealth. Over in India, there was a tribe or something that also valued overweight women. Infact, the women would stuff themselves with the hope of gaining weight, but it would never work. Now, in America, we are experiencing the same kind of thing, except the ideal shape is bone-thin. What is amazing to me is that women are so apt to change themselves just so that they will be more socially acceptable.
I believe that "thin is in" because Americans feel that being curvy is a sign of being sloppy. Now, because we are perfectionists and don't want to be sloppy, we Americans want to be as thin as we possibly can. We all want to fit into the same mold, but because everyone is different, this is impossible. As a result, many people develop eating disorders.
It does my heart and my sanity good to hear another girl speak out and go against the flow. There is nothing wrong with having curves!!! If you have them, learn to love them. They tell a story about you and about your ancestors. Think of your curvi-ness :) as not a curse, but a blessing that has been passed down to you from your past. And most of all just remember to love yourself no matter what.
You go girl!!!!!

Answer 3

I have curves and I love my body. I agree with you. I think that the the influences from celebrities are also affecting the way that people think. So because they see some super skinny star on the front page of a magazine, they want to be like them..

Just like the other person said, to fit in...

Answer 4

"by using fact WHITE adult adult males decide for thin CHICKS who've 12 twelve months previous bodies" i'm a white guy and that i'd like a woman to look one hundred% woman, not a splash lady. As females exchange into women human beings, their bodies fill out needless to say. The breasts advance, the hips, the thighs and the butt get fuller. God created women human beings this type. i don't think of God meant women human beings to starve themselves and look emaciated. Yuck!!! i can not think of of something greater alluring and sexy than a voluptuous and organic woman. by potential of how, i assumed Nicole Richie and Anna Nicole Smith appeared plenty warmer earlier dropping plenty weight.

Answer 5

We are fashion victims. We have body trends and style trends. We believe what we are told to believe. All too conveniently, clothing fits easier on skinny people. It is likely not going to change.

Answer 6

You should not be too thin, but I think the obesity epidemic is a lot more worrying. There really is no excuse.

Answer 7

there seems to be a general lack of common sense with Americans today. As a nation we are certainly getting lazier and dumber with every generation.

Answer 8

Are you kidding me? You have most number of fat people in America. Lot of you guys are obese!

Answer 9

mmm it's a terrible thing to strive to be bone thin.

i'm naturally rather boney and these days i get accuesed of choosing to be this way.
it's not all glory.

Answer 10

People starving to death for the sake of peer pressure...lulz!