It is a fact that body shaming is the cruelest behavior in today’s world. Body shaming is not a new attitude, though; there is always body shaming. For decades, people have stereotyped themselves, formed judgments about their bodies, and struggled to reach a made-up “ideal body” image that is ‘impossible.’ Body shaming and its consequences, like the concept of the ideal body determined by others, can never be obtained. The body’s ideal shape is much different from the one in history. For instance, once chubby, women were favored since it was a sign of fertility and health; however, now, the perception has changed significantly, and the perception of the body with a slim waist and thinnest legs has become popular. Exposure to negative comments, relentless criticism, and humiliating jokes about physical appearance significantly impacts psychological health. The only way to protect oneself from body shaming and body shaming goal are to be at peace with your body as long as you are healthy. Otherwise, if you believe social media, advertisements, and merciless comments of others’ deceptions, you will likely have a mental breakdown trying to satisfy them.
The most crucial thing to remember is that body shaming is a never-ending game challenging people to look better than others and become the best. Once you get in the game, you can neither win nor lose because you should keep renewing your body according to the demands and expectations. While the conditions change daily, it has become impossible to have victory in this worldwide beauty competition. Instead, it is essential to consider how to deal with body shaming and protect yourself from it.
Why Has Body-Shaming Become More Severe Recently?
Social media, where we display ourselves; magazines, where we can see male and female celebrities who have perfect body shapes, TV shows which have the most beautiful actor and actresses; and advertisements have convinced people about the ‘ideal body, face, nose, hair…’ Body shaming is not limited to the weight; the shape of the lips, body hair, the shape of the nose are also the ones exposed to body shaming. As a result, body shaming has been categorized as “types of body shaming.” Moreover, as one of the cutthroat sides of social media, it has increased negative and humiliating comments and jokes. Anyone can comment anything negative about the physical appearance of others and mock it, which is called cyberbullying, without permission.
Body Shaming Hidden Facts
Body shaming is not only uttering bad words or insulting. People who are conscious of it and want to stop body shaming claim that body shaming is dressed up as fitness goals. The summer bodies, as a concept of being “fit,” as a must for being beautiful good, shaped bellies with six-packs for males and females, big butts with thin waists or ‘v shape,’ are considered as the goals of body shaming. For the ones who say “stop body shaming,” those have nothing to do with being healthy and being fit. People might be struggling with excessive weight or obesity; they may try to live a healthy life; they may want to have weight surgeries which are normal. But, the ones who are constantly in a fight to become the best are trapped in body shaming.
Not just fitness is the tool of this dreadful situation. Body shaming is also dressed up as a dress-code goal which is a harmful practice where individuals are criticized for their clothing choices based on their body type or size. Depending on the size and body type, body shaming dressed up as a dress code brutally creates just one acceptable standard of beauty. As a result, it brings out damaging culture with toxic behaviors encouraging individuals to judge and shame one another.
Body Shaming in All its Forms: Understanding the Different Types of Body Shaming
Weight
It is one of the most common types of body shaming. Numerous people are body-shamed for being ‘fat’ or ‘thin.’ The words “you would be beautiful if you lost some weight” and “you look like you never eat” are examples of body shaming.
Height
Height shaming is another common example of body shaming. A tall woman and a short man are likely to have negative comments about their height.
Facial Features
The nose, eyes, and mouth are also the ones individuals usually get criticism. If one has a big or hooked nose, s/he is likely to experience some insecurities about it. The new era convinced individuals that a small type of nose is the determining factor for beauty. Therefore, nose job surgery has gained popularity significantly among females and males.
Body Shape Shaming
Body shape shaming is the one leading body shaming dressed-up goal. Both males and females rush into the gym center for the “v shape” body with wide shoulders, slim waist, and big buttocks. What is worse? V shape body shape is related to attractiveness. Therefore, for those who are not at peace with their bodies, it is one of the body shaming facts individuals’ attractiveness levels depend on their body shape.
Age
Age is another body shaming type that females are mostly exposed to. Although it is one of the body’s most natural and continuous phases, people do not stop body shaming targeting age.
Body Hair
Body hair has never become a problem or judgment for males. However, the unshaved body hair of females is considered “disgusting,” and it is not “lady-like.” Body hair is one of the widespread types of body shaming recently; most females, including some celebrities, encourage each other not to shave body hair to stop the perception of body hair shaming.
The Psychological Consequences of Body Shaming
Body shaming, or criticizing and making negative comments about someone’s physical appearance, can have severe psychological effects on the individual. It can lead to a decrease in self-esteem, body image issues, anxiety, and depression. Individuals who experience body shaming may also have difficulty forming healthy relationships and struggle with shame and embarrassment. In extreme cases, body shaming can lead to eating disorders and other harmful coping mechanisms. It’s essential to recognize the damaging effects of body shaming and promote body positivity and self-acceptance, as everyone deserves to feel confident and comfortable in their skin.
The Physical Consequences of Body Shaming
Body shaming can also have significant physical effects on an individual. For example, it can lead to chronic stress and increase the production of the hormone cortisol, which can result in weight gain and other health problems. Additionally, body shaming can negatively impact an individual’s sleep quality and lead to exhaustion, fatigue, and decreased immunity. Furthermore, individuals who experience body shaming may engage in harmful behaviors such as excessive exercising, restrictive eating, or substance abuse, which can cause physical damage to the body. In some cases, body shaming can result in long-term health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions.
A Guide to Overcoming Body Shaming
Overcoming body shaming can be challenging, but it is possible with effort and self-compassion. Here are some tips that may help:
Practice self-care: Engage in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, mindfulness, and hobbies that bring joy.
Focus on health, not appearance: Prioritize taking care of your body by eating well and engaging in physical activity rather than aiming for a specific body type or appearance.
Celebrate your body: Acknowledge your body’s ability to perform daily activities and appreciate its functions
Surround yourself with positive people: Seek out friends and family members who support and uplift you, and distance yourself from those who engage in body shaming.
Remember, body shaming is a cultural issue; overcoming it requires self-reflection and a commitment to challenging societal norms. It’s a journey, and progress takes time. Still, with patience, persistence, and self-love, it’s possible to cultivate a positive relationship with your body.
A Look at Celebrities Who Have Faced Body Shaming
Famous people body shaming is a widespread issue that affects many celebrities in the entertainment industry. Despite their success and fame, famous people are often subject to harsh criticism of their physical appearance from media outlets and social media.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is one of the disgraced celebrities targeted for body shaming due to her unique clothing style: loose clothing and baggy outfits. In interviews and on social media, she has encouraged others to embrace their bodies and individuality, regardless of societal standards and expectations. Despite the negative comments, she has maintained confidence in her style and has spoken out against body shaming in the media. She has become favorable for defending the celebrities’ bodies exposed to body shaming and taking action to stop body shaming.
50 Cent
Not only women but men also expose to body shaming. 50 Cent, a famous rapper, once had negative comments because he got thinner than usual. There is not only ‘fat-shaming.’ It is the body-shaming facts. Whether chubby or the thinnest celebrity, there is always a risk of negative comments putting individuals down.
Gigi Hadid
The famous worldwide model Gigi Hadid has experienced the brutal act of body shaming. She got terrible criticism because body shamers found her one of the thinnest celebrities. Gigi Hadid is also one of the celebrities promoting body positivity and self-acceptance to stop body shaming!
Kim Kardashian
Another celebrity whose body was shamed due to her weight. After she gave birth, Kim Kardashian’s body was judged; she got harsh comments and was seen as a fat celebrity. However, she is one of the famous people defending her body and others to end the oppressive act and encourage the ones dealing with body shaming.
Halsey
One of the ‘thinnest celebrities,’ Halsey, an American singer, has received hateful comments such as being “unhealthy” and “sick.” Moreover, body shamers have advised her to “put some meat on those bones.”
Barbie Ferreira
Body shaming dressed up as a dress code for Barbie Ferreira. She has been getting hateful comments for wearing clothes for ‘skinnier.’ It is just like the harsh criticism of overweight celebrities in bikinis. According to body shamers, Barbie’s clothing style is considered wrong for chubby people or celebrities.
Lady Gaga
Another famous people body, Lady Gaga, was criticized for being thin after her performance at Super Bowl. Lady Gaga did not stay voiceless against the body shamers. She posted a photo on Instagram saying, ‘ I’m proud of my body.’
Beyonce
Worldwide known as ‘QUEEN BEY,’ Beyonce was criticized as one of the fat celebrities. In front of the harsh comments of the haters, she remained confident and proud of her body.
Khloe Kardashian
Once criticized for being too fat and then skinny, Khloe Kardashian’s body and weight were targeted many times. Like other celebrities, she ignored all hateful comments and encouraged women’s bodies.
Getting some surgeries in certain countries has become really popular recently. Such as weight loss surgeries in Turkey or BBL in Turkey. You have probably heard people flying overseas to this beautiful country to achieve a dream look. Although no one should feel they are obliged to change their look because others are criticizing about it, if our self-image and self-confidence will improve significantly, these surgeries can be beneficial.