In American culture, they’re very often co-related.
These discussions would be valid points if we’re talking about the extremes; being extremely obese or skeletally thin are both profoundly unhealthy, and low self-esteem probably played a significant part in those people becoming so.
In between the two extremes is a WIDE range both healthy and considered attractive by the majority (and specifically, the majority of men). Women’s magazines do not usually reflect this broad range, and for some reason men are usually blamed for perpetuating these unhealthily thin stereotypes (often using photoshop and airbrushing techniques to make even the already-skinny models look thinner than they are). Women’s magazines are marketed towards (and to in large part produce by) WOMEN! If there’s a motive behind bombarding women with unachievable standards of beauty and thinness, I very strongly suspect that motive is to sell “health” and beauty products. “See this model skinnier than you? Buy our diet pills!” “See this woman who spent 3 hours in a makeup artist’s chair for this one photoshoot? Buy our makeup and you can look like this all day long, in any light, regardless of what your daily routine is like.” and so on…
Magazines marketed towards MEN have traditionally featured girls with some healthy curvature! 😉
Not to mention, fat often (but not always) equals bigger breasts, and almost always equals bigger booty and thighs, and recently, the internet has decided they love “Thicc” girls.
Several Summer Olympics ago, the New York Times did a photo feature of a number of the athletes, male and female, going to the Games. The range of body types was great, especially for the women – gymnasts, weight lifters, basketball players, runners, swimmers, and some who looked “normal” who were in other sports. Diverse, but all top athletes.
I love this, but for probably the wrong reasons.
Smiles.
If you enjoy any of my comics, it’s probably for the wrong reasons. At least I hope it is.
Wait. If we like it for the wrong reasons… we’re doing what you hope? Doesn’t that make it the right reasons? @.@
Hahaha I love the comment on having the “fat girl mindset!” I guess having appreciate for diversity is what’s making Americans so fat!
But fat is implicative of low self worth, and low health. Both terrible things, and terrible things to find in a mate. Like anarexia, really.
Actually, in older women, fat makes them look more youthful because it smooths wrinkles.
And in many cultures, a bit of extra weight is valued because, you know… winter.
Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa are sort of culturally specific, in a weird way.
Fat is also valued in many places because it indicates prosperity. The idea that fat suggests “low self worth” is really nonsense.
In American culture, they’re very often co-related.
These discussions would be valid points if we’re talking about the extremes; being extremely obese or skeletally thin are both profoundly unhealthy, and low self-esteem probably played a significant part in those people becoming so.
In between the two extremes is a WIDE range both healthy and considered attractive by the majority (and specifically, the majority of men). Women’s magazines do not usually reflect this broad range, and for some reason men are usually blamed for perpetuating these unhealthily thin stereotypes (often using photoshop and airbrushing techniques to make even the already-skinny models look thinner than they are). Women’s magazines are marketed towards (and to in large part produce by) WOMEN! If there’s a motive behind bombarding women with unachievable standards of beauty and thinness, I very strongly suspect that motive is to sell “health” and beauty products. “See this model skinnier than you? Buy our diet pills!” “See this woman who spent 3 hours in a makeup artist’s chair for this one photoshoot? Buy our makeup and you can look like this all day long, in any light, regardless of what your daily routine is like.” and so on…
Magazines marketed towards MEN have traditionally featured girls with some healthy curvature! 😉
Not to mention, fat often (but not always) equals bigger breasts, and almost always equals bigger booty and thighs, and recently, the internet has decided they love “Thicc” girls.
Being fat does not automatically equal ‘low health’, same as being thin does not automatically mean you are fit
Several Summer Olympics ago, the New York Times did a photo feature of a number of the athletes, male and female, going to the Games. The range of body types was great, especially for the women – gymnasts, weight lifters, basketball players, runners, swimmers, and some who looked “normal” who were in other sports. Diverse, but all top athletes.