Self-Image: Who’s the Real Biggest Loser? We’re Confused!

The following is from a former student in my previous ministry. In her rant she discusses openly the problem with how teen girls are being misled regarding their image, as well as her own struggle in life to have the “right look.” While some may dismiss this article as a mere rant, Angel writes from an honest heart and is willing to take a stand against what society is telling her and other teen girls today about their image.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14

When it comes to communicating the truth of Psalm 139:14 to teens girls, we’re long over due. It’s time they understand their worth in Jesus not what society, ads, movies, or commercials are telling them. It’s time they “know that full well.”

Plus-Size vs. Ana by Angel Smith

Is it really better to be a 90 pound model than to be a 250 pound full-figured woman? I think both ends of this spectrum are equally unnerving. Yet, everywhere I look people are fighting tooth and nail to defend one particular side.. Why is it ok to be dangerously underweight, and it’s publicly ostracized to be even 10 pounds overweight?

For years now, I’ve sat back and noted this country’s unbelievable (and somewhat hypocritical) views on weight. My mind is boggled: why is it so much worse to be overweight, when being underweight is just as unhealthy? If you are underweight: you can have heart issues, lose hair, watch your nails become more and more brittle.. And yet, these underweight, “model-esque” girls are put on a pedestal: why?

On both sides we have major health issues, that much is common knowledge..On one side of the coin your bones will poke through your skin and on the other excess fat covers the body. One promotes eating little to nothing, and the other seems to indulge itself more so than healthy. So what is the big stink about being overweight? Why is it considered “ideal” to be underweight?

On the surface, you may be fooled into thinking it’s just a few people who have this mindset. However, if one would dig deeper, you will realize: this has penetrated American culture way beyond just the surface of every day life. People will ridicule, poke fun at, and even go so far as to bully obese people while ridiculously thin girls are the “ideal” target of American society.

I think we, as Americans, are ridiculous. As a girl who’s not necessarily “huge” but not “thin”, I’ve gotten every remark in the book about my weight.I’ve been called all the mean names you could think of! And, of course, you will get the back-handed compliments: Wow! In that top it’s hard to tell you’re even fat! (Gee, thanks for the confidence boost!) And in American society, it’s perfectly acceptable to turn customers away based on weight. That’s right, it’s true.

I have seen a woman- who looked like she weighed a good bit- walk into a designer store, only to be told she wasn’t welcome! The clerk stated (in a very haughty manner) : “I’m sorry, but nothing in this store will fit a woman of your proportions.” WOW. Can anybody feel the slap in the face?

If you took that exact scenario, and put an anorexic/bulimic woman in that situation you’d have a totally different outcome. For example, the conversation may have gone more like this -Clerk: “Oh miss, I’m so sorry our sizes aren’t small enough! You could always have them hemmed.. Please, let me show you some other merchandise!”. Don’t roll your eyes, because you know the bias would be in favor of the overly thin woman.

Stop and think: if both body weights are dangerous, and both have the same risks then why is it ok to be dangerously thin but not morbidly obese? I think people need a reality check. Neither is healthy, but one is still promoted..

Should America be allowed to patronize the obese, while coddling the too thin? Should it be ok to rip someone’s self-esteem down while boosting the esteem of unhealthy girls who are on the other end of the spectrum? What caused Americans to have this mindset in the first place? Why is there a tolerance for underweight women, but not overweight women in the media? Is it fair to deny plus-size women the right to promote full-figure clothing while promoting XXXS shirts and pants? Honest opinions welcome, but word them as constructive criticism.

Just a note: I do not promote an unhealthy lifestyle, but I felt the need to point out this cultural hypocrisy. I also do not want to hear any biting or hurtful remarks. Constructive criticism is welcome.