What Is Body Shaming? Overview, Impact & Real-Life Examples

Many of us are concerned about getting body-shamed at some point in our lives. According to an estimate, 91 percent of women and 45 percent of men are unhappy with their bodies. The reason is simple: we live in an image-conscious world that degrades us for our looks. Body shaming is a prevalent issue that impacts the lives of individuals regardless of their age, gender, and background.

At some time in our lives, many of us have experienced mocking and criticism for our appearance. This act may seem harmless but it can deeply damage our self-esteem. In this article, you will explore the meaning of body shaming, its reasons, causes, and its effects. Moreover, you will also explore how body shaming varies by gender. 

What is Body Shaming?

Body shaming is an act of commenting and judging people about their looks and appearances. People get body shamed about their body shape, size, or weight. They can also get mocked for how they talk, laugh, eat, walk, or even how they sit. 

The remarks an individual receives can be in many forms. Sometimes these comments seem funny and sometimes they are insulting or appear as criticism. In any case, these remarks are hurtful to the person receiving them.

The act of commenting on someone’s body can be observed across boundaries and regions. People can face such behavior at educational institutes, workplaces, social media, and even in families. 

Recognizing Body Shaming

Sometimes, a person criticizing others passes clear derogatory remarks, while there can be situations when it’s difficult to recognize and describe the meaning of a comment. 

Below are some key points that should be considered to identify whether you are body-shamed or not;

• Derogatory Comments: These are negative comments and remarks that directly insult someone’s looks and appearance. 
• Unsolicited Advice: Many of us judge other people in various ways. In doing so, we share our thoughts as advice to others without thinking it might hurt them. So, unsolicited advice about other’s looks and diet can also be part of a degrading act.
• Comparisons: Critically comparing someone’s looks or body weight can also be a part of body shaming.
• Microaggressions: Indirectly passing comments to someone’s body can lead to body shaming, exacerbating feelings of isolation and depression.
• Making Fun of Others: Sometimes we think it’s normal to make small jokes about someone’s body but this is also part of mocking someone’s body. 

Gender and Body Shaming

The impact of body shaming can be vastly different for various genders. It is because of the social and cultural norms that treat women and men differently. Moreover, societal expectations and pressure also differ in the experiences of different genders. 

1. Women and Body Shaming

Women face body shaming if they don’t meet the ideal standards of femininity and beauty. Western culture has historically idealized thin women. Slim and smart women’s bodies have been represented as a symbol of beauty and attractiveness.

Girls and young women face a hidden pressure to conform to these standards. Failure to achieve the set standards can lead to severe emotional and psychological impacts, which include eating disorders, depression, and low self-esteem. Girls and women also face mocking behavior and negative comments about their looks. 

2. Men and Body Shaming

Even though women face more criticism and objections about their bodies, men are not immune to this issue. However, men face less pressure and intensity than women.

Body shaming for men usually revolves around their muscularity and strength. Failure to meet physical attributes can lead to unhealthy behavior such as excessive exercise and the use of steroids. 

Types of Body Shaming

People usually body shame others when they think that a person’s body is not a good fit for the standards set by society. This ideology translates into the act of commenting and degrading others. Some of the most common types of body shaming are shared below.

1. Fat Shaming

A general practice observed in various societies is pointing out someone’s body weight, calling them “fat”. It is usually because we have learned that less body weight is associated with beauty and excess body weight is considered ugly. 

People who are even a bit overweight receive degrading remarks and unwanted suggestions and methods to lose weight. 

2. Skinny Shaming

Similarly, people with less weight also face critical remarks and are shamed for being underweight. People mock individuals who are thinner and suggest them ways to gain weight through adopting different eating habits or exercises. 

3. Hair Shaming

Body hair shaming is another type that people face. This type of shaming is associated with different genders. Hair on legs and arms is objectionable for women, while acceptable for men. If women don’t remove them, they face degrading and shameful remarks.

4. Skin Shaming

People skin shame individuals who might have uneven skin tone, unwanted pimples, pigmentation, etc. Moreover, in some Asian societies, dark color of skin tones are criticized. Such individuals face humiliation and isolation in society.

5. Style Shaming

Style shaming is a part of body shaming. There are many people in our society who don’t follow fashion trends. Hence, what they wear might be outdated, therefore, they can face criticism and mocking behavior for their looks. This type of body shaming is also common in our society. 

6. Age Shaming

Some people age shame others. This type of shaming is usually experienced by elderly people. Many youngsters mock their looks and their wrinkles and criticize their abilities. This type of shaming also reinforces discrimination and perpetuates gender inequality in society.

Factors of Body Shaming

There are different factors that contribute to the act of criticizing others. These are:

1. Societal Beauty Standards

Our societies are built in a way that defines certain standards of beauty for both women and men. These standards or perceptions are perpetuated by media and advertisements that are typically far from reality. 

For instance, generally, a woman is expected to be slim and toned, whereas a man should be muscular and lean. Individuals who don’t follow the standards are often marginalized and mocked for their looks.  Not all men and women can follow these standards, consequently, they become victims of body shaming.  

2. Media Influence 

The media has a strong influence that perpetuates body shaming in our lives and societies. Media in different societies play a significant role in defining and reinforcing beauty standards. 

Our movies and dramas portray men and women with a limited range of body types and set standards for the masses. It pushes ordinary people to follow the perfect image. Individuals who fail to follow these idealized images become victims and are body-shamed. 

3. Cultural Norms 

Ideal beauty and body image vary across cultures. In some cultures, healthy people with larger body size may be associated with wealth, while in others, women and men are expected to be thin and toned. Agai,n these norms set standards for us and can negatively influence our lives. 

4. Personal Insecurity 

In some cases, people who mock and body shame others may project their own insecurities onto others. Such people criticize others – this is an attempt to hide their own flaws. They mock others’ behaviors and looks. This is another reason for body shaming. 

5. Social Media 

The use and rise of social media in our lives have magnified body ideals. These platforms provide a venue for people to openly comment and criticize others, consequently, body shaming has been amplified. 

Social media also allows individuals to portray their idealized versions. Such depiction sets high standards for others. Those who fail to follow the set standards face negative comments and criticism. 

Intersectionality and Body Shaming

Body shaming is strongly associated with various forms of an individual’s identity also known as intersectionality. For example, a person’s ethnicity, race, religion, color, and socioeconomic status can increase the chances of body shaming.

1. Race and Ethnicity

Various racial and ethnic groups experience different kinds and intensities of body shaming. As discussed previously, in some cultures, bodies with more mass are idealized, or it’s common for people to have darker skin tones. Such people may face stigma when from other ethnic groups. 

2. Socioeconomic Status

In many societies, the social and economic status of an individual may cause body shaming. Individuals who come from a lower socioeconomic background are easy targets of such hurtful remarks and comments. Such individuals bear more pressure to fit into the set beauty standards to get acceptance from peers. 

3. Religion 

Individuals can even face body shaming for their religious beliefs, for the way they pray or perform a religious act. For instance, in some religions, men who cover their heads with a turban may face mocking behavior from their peers. Similarly, some Muslim women who cover their heads and bodies may also face body shaming and isolation. 

Impact of Body Shaming

In this ever-demanding world, no one can exactly match the ideal version of beauty set by our society. Running behind such ideologies can leave long-lasting impacts on individuals. Some of these consequences are mentioned below:

1. Low Self-Esteem

Critical and negative remarks from your social circle can destroy an individual’s dignity. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

2. Eating Disorders 

Individuals who face constant negative remarks about their looks and appearances may develop eating disorders. They might lose their appetite and face anorexia or they may develop binge disorder through excessive eating. 

Individuals may develop such behavior to cope with emotional distress or fit in to meet beauty expectations. 

3. Mental Health Issues 

Another visible impact of body shaming on individuals face it is that they develop mental disorders. Some common health issues are depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphic disorder. Mental health problems can lead to various aspects of an individual’s life. They might struggle with their relationships, or they might struggle at work. 

4. Social Withdrawal 

Individuals who are body shamed and develop some disorders are likely to limit or withdraw from their social activities. The thoughts of getting body shamed push them to avoid public gatherings where they fear of being judged. The isolation can lead to loneliness and increase their level of stress and depression. 

Conclusion

Body shaming is an issue that is ingrained in our society. Many of us intentionally or unintentionally body shame others as if it’s a normal thing to do. However, we forget that it has a significant psychological and emotional impact on individuals. 

Together, we can fight this cruel and harmful practice and embrace appreciating diverse bodies and looks. There should be no one body standard, but respect for all for who we are!