As publisher of SCREW, I have a front-row seat to the messy dance between provocative content and public opinion. The past few years (perhaps since the made-for-TV flop Starving in Suburbia first aired) we’ve been witnessing a new kind of double standard in the realm of body image: on one side, there’s a push to censor “thinspiration” content — images and messages that promote extreme thinness as an ideal. On the other, we see an increasing trend of celebrating and normalizing obesity as part of body positivity. Both approaches, while well-intentioned, reveal a striking inconsistency in how we handle weight-related issues, raising important questions about fairness and balance.
The Push to Censor Thinspiration
The rationale behind censoring thinspiration is clear. This content often glorifies unhealthy thinness and can drive vulnerable individuals towards dangerous behaviors like extreme dieting and eating disorders. The intent is to protect people from harmful influences that could worsen mental health issues and physical conditions. The logic is straightforward: by removing such content, we aim to shield individuals from adopting harmful practices in their quest for an unattainable body ideal.
The Celebration of Obesity
On the flip side, we’ve got the rising trend of celebrating obesity. This movement is part of a broader body positivity campaign which seeks to counteract the stigmatization of larger body types. The idea here is that embracing diverse body shapes and sizes helps improve self-esteem and reduces discrimination. Advocates argue that this celebration challenges unrealistic beauty standards and promotes a more inclusive society.
The Fairness Dilemma
Here’s where the double standard gets tricky. If we’re willing to censor content promoting extreme thinness because of its potential harm, shouldn’t we also address the potential issues with uncritically celebrating obesity? This approach can sometimes overlook the health risks associated with extreme weight, just as it criticizes thinness. By celebrating obesity without acknowledging the associated health risks, we might be ignoring another set of problems. It’s a classic case of swinging from one extreme to another without addressing the core issues.
A Balanced Perspective
Instead of swinging between extremes, we need a more nuanced approach. Both thinness and obesity can present health risks, and focusing on one at the expense of the other doesn’t solve the underlying problems. Rather than glorifying or censoring body types, we should promote overall health and well-being. Encouraging balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and mental health care will address the root causes of health issues, regardless of body size.
Moving Beyond Extremes
What we need is a discussion that respects diverse body types while promoting health and wellness. It’s time to shift our focus from weight alone to overall health. Celebrating or censoring based on body size doesn’t tackle the real issues of healthy living and personal well-being. By emphasizing a balanced approach, we can avoid the pitfalls of glorification and censorship, creating a more supportive and fair environment for everyone.
In summary, the current approach of censoring thinspiration while celebrating obesity reveals a significant double standard. Both extreme body types come with their own set of health risks and challenges. A fair approach should focus on health rather than weight, avoiding extremes and fostering a balanced, inclusive dialogue. We need to address body image issues with a focus on overall wellness, ensuring that we don’t unfairly target one group or another in our quest for a healthier society.
—P
Publisher
As a child my mother said to me, ‘If you grow up to be a soldier, you will become a general. If you grow up to be a monk, you will become the Pope.’ Instead, I grew up to be a degenerate, and now I’m publisher of SCREW.
