2007-12-12 14:57:19 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Gender Studies
I'm not sure that I'm prejudiced against anyone. Obesity is the result of an addiction and, more rarely, a hormonal imbalance/glandular dysfunction. The results of said issues are often more obvious with obese people than they are with someone who is a closet drinker or drug addict. In other words, those who are addicted to food are very easy to identify, and are, therefore, easier targets. Food is everywhere in North America: we are saturated with ads that link food and sex, food and fun, food and celebration, and so on. We need food to live. Telling an obese person that she or he should just stop eating can never work, as food (unlike other potentially addictive substances) is necessary for life. Poverty is also an issue in obesity because the higher calorie foods are generally cheaper than healthier choices. My initial reaction to this question is to ask whether any person reading it would like to live as an obese person in North America (or anywhere else). Most people would say no, and the reason for that is that there is discrimination against the obese, there is contempt and judgment. Thus, if we wouldn't want to be like that, I would imagine that they're not enjoying the experience themselves. Adding to their own self-hatred can only be described as cruel and unnecessary. Like an alcoholic, an obese person has to be medically capable of changing, and has to want to change. All the mockery in the world isn't going to make that happen. The one caveat I'll make here is that I truly despise how the cycle of obesity continues in the children of overweight people. It is cruel and extremely poor parenting to create the same addiction in a child.
2007-12-13 02:26:41 · answer #1 · answered by teeleecee 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
When I was younger I was very annoyed by them to be honest. I worked with several and it disturbed me when it seemed to me they willfully abused themselves with food all day long. I was tired of hearing the excuses about a slow metabolism or mysterious reasons for the weight when I saw with my own eyes what they ate. I hated when they had handicapped parking spaces or ergonomic chairs to accommodate them for a condition that seemed totally avoidable.
Then I grew up and realized that people don't always understand why they're compelled to do harm to themselves. Addiction is a powerful thing and it's easy for someone on the outside to hate what they don't understand and never had to contend with. Someone who is morbidly obese due to overeating has a psychological disorder. I wouldn't hate anyone for being anorexic. I wouldn't assume she could stop starving herself if she really wanted to. People with addictions and disorders deserve compassion.
2007-12-12 18:07:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
I'm not prejudiced in my opinions about morbidly obese people - I'm convinced. There's a difference. And what I'm convinced of is that the VAST majority of them are that way because they eat too damn much and don't exercise enough. Sure, metabolic rates and thyroid disorders can make it harder for them to maintain a normal weight than average people, but the simple fact is they consume MUCH more than their bodies require. There is no exception to that.
And viewed that way, obesity is indeed a character flaw, like excess drinking (never seen anyone who would forgive someone for his/her alcoholism just because he/she had a genetic predisposition for it - and I know, I used to be a drunk), sloth, slovenly habits, wretched social skills, etc.
But belieiving that doesn't make me hate fatsos, discriminate against them, or ridicule them to their faces. On the contrary, I feel kind of sorry for them, just as I do active drunks. l know how hard it can be to conquer an addiction, whether it be food, sex, booze, whatever. But there is also a part of me that thinks to himself: "yeah, well, it IS hard...but I did it, why can't you?"
2007-12-13 02:02:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Not always.
Lack of education (and money) about poor nutrition and lifestyle choices are regularly behind obesity.It's just too easy to buy quick, and often cheap, rubbish when you're hungry. If you have a propensity to weight gain, this ease affects you more than others.
Some folks could eat well, but choose not to; rather spending money on a widescreen TV. It's a pity that keeping up with the Joneses only involves consumer durables instead of food choices.
2007-12-12 15:33:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
No looks don't define a person. i was skinny b/4 my son was born and i'm fat now. did i change as a person NO i'm the same just with extra weight that has to come off . when i see a person i see a person for who they are not their looks. that is shallow!!
2007-12-13 15:56:52 · answer #5 · answered by goldie p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I usually think the majority of morbidly obese people have some sort of heath problem that is impairing them from becoming healthy. So I am usually more compassionate toward them. Now there are some that are simply lazy and always have an excuse, I do not feel sorry for those people.
2007-12-12 15:04:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 6⤋
I'm not, but that could be because I have been one.
Some people think obese people are always the way they are because they're lazy and gluttonous, but that is not true.
There are a myriad of physical and emotional reasons why people gain weight and have trouble taking it off.
2007-12-12 15:00:58 · answer #7 · answered by becka212 3 · 9⤊ 2⤋
I am a Nurse. I have worked with people who fall into this 'category'. Why would I have a prejudice against someone who is in need of my assistance?
2007-12-12 15:57:01 · answer #8 · answered by Ashleigh 7 · 7⤊ 3⤋
I find the ignorance expressed in many answers here utterly appalling and indicative of truly ugly hearts. How sad.
2007-12-12 16:30:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
No I like all people
2007-12-12 15:32:38 · answer #10 · answered by banananutmeg1 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋