Shanaiah Charice T.
Ganas
Body Shaming Ends with Us
“Your body is not wrong, society is”. Have you ever heard someone tell you that you need to
gain weight or lose weight in order to be attractive or healthy? What if you were told you weren't good
enough each time you looked in the mirror? What happens when our bodies don't conform to the
restricted, idealized standards of beauty imposed by society? This is the reality for many people who
experience body shaming, a harmful and destructive practice that can have serious negative impacts. In
fact, Robinson and Schluger 2022 cited that 70% of people have experienced body shaming at some
point in their lives. This is a staggering statistic that highlights the widespread and damaging nature of
this issue. In this speech, I will delve more deeply into the awareness of body shaming and how we can
all work together to end it.
Now that we have established the context for this speech, let me provide an overview of what
this issue is all about. Essentially, body shaming is defined as a form of discrimination that involves
mocking, humiliating, and stigmatizing someone by making critical and negative comments about their
body shape or size. This practice involves making inappropriate remarks or jokes about someone's body,
or even subtle actions like giving unwanted advice or using sarcasm. Anyone can be affected by body
shaming, regardless of age, gender, size, or appearance. According to Gam et al. (2020), there is a 25-
35% prevalence of body shaming globally. Billano et al. (2022) also noted that the mentality of body
shaming persists in Philippine society, where attacks on physical appearance are often normalized and
treated as casual greetings, conversation starters, or even just a source of humor. This statistic shows
that body shaming has been a longstanding issue and must be addressed urgently.
To effectively address the problem of body shaming, it is important to consider the underlying
causes of this practice. One significant factor that contributes to the prevalence of body shaming is
societal standards of beauty. The media promotes unrealistic standards of beauty that glorify thinness
and perfection. As a matter of fact, Svindseth and Crawford (2019) mentioned that people can be
humiliated if they do not fit societal expectations of their body. Another cause of body shaming is
societal pressure to conform to these unrealistic standards. In our culture, appearance is often given a
great deal of value, and this can create significant pressure for individuals to look a certain way. Lastly,
internalized negative beliefs can contribute to body shaming by causing individuals to have negative
thoughts and feelings about their own bodies.
As we've seen, body shaming is often rooted in societal standards and expectations. The effects
of body shaming can be severe and long-lasting, impacting individuals' mental and physical health, self-
esteem, and overall quality of life. Growing up as a chubby girl in the Philippines, I have experienced
body shaming since I was a child. My relatives would often make hurtful comments about my weight at
family gatherings, saying “What happened? You gained so much weight”. Often times I would feel
embarrassed and ashamed when people made fun of my size. When I was in elementary school, I was
even afraid to weigh myself during PE class because I didn't want others to know how much I weighed.
These experiences have had a lasting impact on me and have made me feel self-conscious about my
body.
Given the significant effects of body shaming, it's crucial that we identify ways to address this
problem and promote body positivity. By challenging the narrow and unrealistic standards of beauty
that contribute to this harmful practice and work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting
culture. This can be done through education, promotion of diversity and inclusivity, self-acceptance and
self-love, encouraging others to embrace body positivity, and seeking support when needed. By taking
these steps, we can work towards creating a society that values and celebrates all bodies and promotes
the well-being and self-esteem of all individuals.
In conclusion, body shaming is a widespread and harmful issue that affects many people. It is
often perpetuated by societal standards of beauty that are narrow and unrealistic. We can work
together to challenge these standards and create a more inclusive and accepting culture. It is important
to remember that these standards are arbitrary and do not reflect the diversity and beauty of bodies.
Your body is unique and beautiful, and it is worthy of love and respect. Remember, "Your body is not
wrong, society is".
