Aren't we concerned about looks?
Why is it that we care? Why are we trapped in looks and missing the person
under the face mask? We neglect what lies under the mask, what lies within the
heart and mind, what lays within the psyche. Body shame is the act in which we
blame people for their physical appearance; we condemn them because they do not
meet the socially constructed predetermined expectations of attractiveness. They're
not 'fair and stunning' or 'slim and sleek,' and so forth. It's a type of
violence that mentally torments you and is common.
The culture recognizes the color,
form, and size of the body as the basis for beauty and ugliness. Both men and
women are ashamed of their bodies. A boy with a physique that makes him appear
strong is supposed to be big and muscular. In India, a girl should be tall,
shallow with a skin of zero acne and body hair. When anyone falls from this
group (like most people, since we are human), they are continually mocked and
encouraged to change their appearance.
Even though body shame affects
both men and women, it is extra stressful baggage for women in a patriarchal
society like India. The remedies for impeccable skin include measures such as
turmeric paste, aloe vera gel, waxing, face masks, and a thousand other things.
If a girl is fat, she is advised everything ranging from avoiding rice and
potatoes to liposuction surgery. We've reached a stage in which fat shaming
almost has become synonymous with body-shaming, but slim girls aren't out! Even
girls that are short are shamed that they are too slim and advised to wear full-sleeved clothing that does not make their so-called 'fault' noticeable. A man
who does not match these social expectations of a perfect body will receive all
sorts of criticisms and suggestions.
Earlier, being fat was a symbol
of being wealthy and belonging to a prosperous family but times have changed,
being svelte is chic now. Now, be it any of the genders, sweltering it out in
the gym is the vogue. Be it the relatives who tell you to look pretty in order
to get married or the shopkeepers who refer you the dress which will hide those
curvatures, everyone is always upholding how to not feel good in your own skin.
Also, the jokes cracked of pregnancy about fat women aren’t funny at all.
Media has been instrumental in
fostering the culture of body shaming, despite all the unrealistic and almost
impossible expectations of beauty that Bollywood has set over the years. Many
cosmetics ads tell us how it is vital to walk after a fairer skin for a job and
/ or confidence, while other food product ads remind us of how necessary it is
to lose fat within 25 days to look good in a group.
With the increasing use of social
media, body shaming is now all-time high. People get behind the computer and
post negative comments and think that no one's going to harm just a comment.
But we're a generation of social media addicts, every harmful comment you post
troubles, someone. While we're making a comment about someone's physique, we
often overlook the fact that the remark doesn't change their bodies, but it has
the power to affect someone so extremely that they can be depressed.
Body shaming can lead to an inferiority complex, decreased confidence, eating disorders, and other such
issues. It can cause insecurities that lead to troubled relationships. There is
a chance that the victim may feel too self-conscious and withdraw from social
situations. We must be more mature, understanding and empathy instead of
criticizing people just because they do not look like we want them to. Don't be
a harasser and don't let anyone even shame your body.
Rather of listening to
suggestions from people who don't know either you or your body, we need to
follow a safe lifestyle. Sure, obesity is a concern, it is a health risk and
exercise is important to decrease health risks, but it is completely
inappropriate to blame someone for being overweight. Let us not forget that it
is the person who decides the actions of a person in his / her life and not the
fat of the body. The requirements to determine someone's characters or ability cannot
be form, size, color, and levels of capability.
A lingerie line, composed
of lingerie's of all sizes, has just been launched by Rihanna to
allow the body to become optimistic. Actresses like Vidya Balan and
Sonakshi Sinha are stunning examples of women who didn't let their careers be
governed by the size-zero stereotype. Although important changes are taking
place, there is still a long way to go. Let us be relaxed in our skin, take a
little while, and let us encourage others to do the same thing. It is your own
body, and no one, other than you, can judge or understand. Let's be trusting,
caring and tolerant. Let us live, let others live, let others live.
Rab Rakha!!!!!
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