Published on September 23, 2023
Body shaming has become a prevalent issue in today’s society, where belittling individuals for their weight is alarmingly common. The question arises: does this approach yield any positive results? Even if someone manages to lose weight due to the ridicule, is it worth the emotional damage they endure? Are we left with individuals who may shed pounds but remain dissatisfied with their self-image, merely attempting to escape the bullying?
Let me clarify: body shaming is ineffective. Reflecting on my childhood, I can attest to this firsthand.
Growing up, my mother was often vocal about her own struggles with weight. I vividly remember her standing in front of the mirror, critiquing her appearance from head to toe. Positive remarks about her body were nonexistent. Unfortunately, this self-criticism influenced my own self-image. At just 10 years old, after an embarrassing fall in our neighbor’s yard, I told the neighbor’s father, “Put me down. I’m too fat to carry.” Can you imagine that at such a young age?
As I matured, my mother’s scrutiny shifted to me. She would casually comment on my weight, remarking on my thighs and suggesting I try the latest diet she was following. (She was always jumping from one fad to another.) When I hit puberty, my body underwent rapid changes, leading to a sudden increase in curves. At 14, I had no idea how to navigate this new reality. I was the quintessential awkward teenager, grappling with self-acceptance.
One evening, during a gathering with her friends, my mother loudly commented, “Hey Lisa, don’t you think those jeans are getting a bit tight?” The laughter that ensued was devastating. I cried myself to sleep that night. The result of her shaming was not motivation to lose weight; it was a desire to hide from the world. If my own mother couldn’t see me as beautiful, who would?
Fast forward to the present. I now have a daughter, my lovely 6-month-old, Emma. When she looks at me, all she sees is her mom, and it’s my goal to maintain that innocent perspective. I currently carry more weight than I’d like—six months postpartum, I’m at my heaviest. Yet, I feel beautiful. My body created life, and that is an achievement worth celebrating. While I still occasionally struggle with body image, I’ve learned to embrace balance in my eating habits, moving away from restrictive diets. I’m okay with who I see in the mirror, even if the scale doesn’t reflect my desires.
My mother and I have since had open discussions about our past. She revealed that her own mother imposed strict dietary rules on her, including forcing her to attend Weight Watchers meetings. In her quest to do better, she unwittingly perpetuated the cycle of body shaming with me.
The reality is that shaming others into change rarely works. What truly fosters transformation is love, understanding, and compassion. My daughter will never experience the sting of body shaming; I can find a silver lining in my past experiences for that. Most importantly, Emma will learn that her self-worth is not tied to her body size.
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination options, check out this home insemination kit. For additional insights on early pregnancy, you can visit Intracervical Insemination, which provides valuable resources. And for those considering fertility treatments, Johns Hopkins Medicine offers excellent information on IVF and related services.
Summary
Body shaming is an ineffective approach to influencing change. Drawing from personal experiences, the author shares insights on how negative comments about weight can lead to lifelong struggles with self-image. Through love and understanding, we can foster healthier relationships with our bodies, ensuring future generations learn to appreciate themselves beyond numbers on a scale.