BODY SHAMING

Body shaming is the intentional or unintentional act of making derogatory comments about a person's body size or shape. It’s a negative and inappropriate commentary intending to criticize a person's body. It often comes in the form of individuals giving opinions about the physical look of others, passing a judgement. Body shaming is an ubiquitous occurrence that often happens to people who are either overweight, too skinny, or individuals who simply don’t fit the criteria of what society seems to be a normal body frame. As the name implies, body shaming often leaves it’s victims to internalize feelings of shame and it carries the belief that individuals should be judged based on their looks.

Body shaming expresses a form of humiliation to oneself or others. This is a form of bullying and can lead to emotional traumas that affect the self-esteem of the individuals subjected to it. It can also lead to body dysmorphic disorders, depression, self-hate, and anger.

The act of body shaming manifests in different ways such that you can be your own adversary. Criticizing your own appearance by making a comparison or passing a general judgement about your physical looks is self body shaming. On the contrary, the criticism of the appearance of other people openly and to their knowledge without their consent or being their back makes you the body shaming antagonist. 

Types of Body Shaming

Fat Shaming: Fat-shaming refers to criticisms about the overbearing weight of a person. It refers to acts of humiliation against plus-sized individuals. It is a common act of body shaming, especially in entertainment and results in the deterioration of an individual's confidence. 

Skinny Shaming: This refers to mockery about how thin or lean a person is. People are often body-shamed on how they never put on weight no matter the quantity or type of food they eat. This can affect their mental state of being as well as lower their level of confidence.

Face Shaming: Face shaming is related to the beauty or attractiveness of a person, but “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and can often be found deep beneath the superficial aspects of a person. There is beauty in intelligence, beauty in strength, beauty of the heart, and beauty of the soul. 

Body Hair Shaming: This type of body shaming criticizes people with hair on specific areas of their body. This is mainly applicable to women with hairs on their faces or with very hairy legs.

Body shaming can also apply to an individuals' makeup, hairstyle, and clothing choices. 

Dangers of Body Shaming

• Body shaming can result in eating disorders such as; Anorexia and Bulimia
• Body confidence issues
• Anxiety disorders
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Negative attitude towards social and professional life
• Fear, anger, and constantly feeling embarrassed
• Social anxiety
• Depression

No one likes being criticized by others in regards to their physical appearances, so let’s normalize refraining from exposing ourselves and others to that affliction. We come in all different shapes and sizes and we are all beautiful if we only choose to be. Beauty comes from within and simply radiates outward. The beauty of the heart and soul is far more captivating than a face among many faces.