Jargon Free Forum

Body Shaming

According to the Oxford English Dictionary; body shaming is the act or practice of humiliating a person based on their body type by making critical and/or mocking statements about their body shape and size.

Body shaming, is an act in which individuals are judged negatively based on their physical appearance. Generally, men and women are body-shamed if they appear “overweight” or don’t fit the idyllic image of “thin and beautiful.” However, researchers note that thin-shaming is also a negative and form of judgment and bullying as well, although not as prevalent.

Body shaming is one of the biggest problems in today’s generation. Society doesn't just find humor in degrading a woman's body; they also find humor in degrading a man's body. Body shaming has become a problem for both genders. Body shaming, while common in both genders, is especially harmful to women.

While body shaming has been in society for quite some time, the internet and social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, have brought it to an all-time high. With millions of users signing-on each day, social media platforms open the door for individuals and companies to share unrealistic expectations of an ideal body. Technology has made the focus on appearance easier and given way to a platform that invites body shaming and bullying more frequently.

Body-shaming statistics indicate that 94 percent of teenage girls have been body shamed. However, the practice isn’t exclusive to the female gender. Teen boys and men are subjected to thoughtless opinions and hurtful comments made as well. Nearly 65 percent of teen’s boys reported having been body shamed.

Pre-session assessment

Basic questions for all students:

What is your height? - Most of the girls replied that their height is around 5'3" and most of the boys responded that their height is around 5'4". What is your current weight? - Most of the girls said that their weight is around 40 to 50kg, and most of the boys replied that their weight is around 45 to 60kg. What should be the ideal height for a boy? - Most of the students responded that the ideal height for a boy should be around 6ft. What should be the ideal height for a girl? - Most of the students responded that the ideal height for a girl should be around 5'5" to 5'7". Are you conscious about facial hair? - Some boys and girls responded that they are concerned about their facial hair. Some boys answered that they like their facial hair. Some girls said that they are not concerned about their facial hair. What are three things you like about the way you look? - Students replied that they like their hair, body, mouth, eyes, nose, cheeks, lips, smile, and beard. How do you take care of your body and keep it healthy? - Students replied that they drink a lot of water, eat healthy food and fruits, go to the gym, run, drink milk, and exercise. Do you eat when you are not hungry? If so, why? - Some students responded that they don’t eat anything until they feel hungry. Some students replied that they eat only if the food is delicious. When do you feel most proud of yourself? - Some students answered that they feel proud when their parents appreciate them. Some students answered that they feel proud when they do good work, get admission to the army, or get appointed as a government servant. What is the best comment you've received on your body? - Some students replied that they have never received good comments on their body. Some students responded that they have received good comments on their height, hair, face, white teeth, smile, handsome appearance, and fit body. What is the worst comment you've received on your body? - Students replied that they have received worst comments on their weight, feet, nails, lean body, lack of muscularity, and chubby body. What is one thing you want to change about your body? - Some students mentioned that they want to change their height, pimples, thin body, lips, face shape, hair style, chest, or chubby body. Some students replied that they love everything about their body, so they don't want to change anything.

Activity conducted during the session

Picture analysis activity

Photo No.1 and its analysis by Students - Students responded that the girl is very beautiful, her health and body is also good, her eyes, nose and lips are also good, her hair is beautiful and her weight is approx. 55 kg. Photo No.2 and its analysis by students Students wrote that a girl in this photo is very healthy; she is very fatty and ugly girl. Her nose is also impaired, her hair is big, lips are big and fat, she looks like a bum, her teeth are ugly and her weight is approx 200kg.   Photo No.3 and its analysis by students - Students responded that there is a girl in the photo. She has a thumbs up bottle. She is standing on a road, girl height is short, she is looking as an older woman and she has acne on her face, she is smiling, looking like a married girl and wearing a “bindi” on her face. -Photo No. 4 and its analysis by students Students replied that this photo is of a couple, boy height is touching the roof, girl’s height is shorter than the boy, boy is wearing a blue color t-shirt, girl is wearing a black color t-shirt, both are looking around 22 to 25 years old, they both are smiling, boy hair is black and girl hair is golden color. Photo No.5 and its analysis by students - Students responded that the boy is so black, he looks like west- indies player, his hair are like chowmin, he is wearing a t-shirt, he is a man, he doesn’t look handsome and we cannot see him in darkness. Photo No.6 and its analysis by students Students mentioned that the boy is so thin, he is a smart boy, he is wearing a red pant, black t-shirt and black shoes, he has a watch on his hand, and his face is bigger than his body. Photo No.7 and its analysis by students - Students replied that the girl is so fat, she is looking like a bull, she is wearing jeans and top, she is a fair girl, her thighs are very heavy and looks like a tanker. Photo No.8 and its analysis by students - Students responded that girl is very beautiful and thin, she is wearing a black dress which is stylish and she is standing like a model.

Movie screening

Lesser man - https://youtu.be/-g_CuyTeLac This movie is by must bol, most of the films made in the campaign are based on real experiences of young people dealing with body shaming and stereotypes on body and how they face it on their daily routine. Let’s talk about body shaming- https://youtu.be/rOunvdHHNYU Most of us are potential victims of ‘body shaming’ – the widespread phenomenon of receiving cruel feedback when our bodies don’t meet the unrealistic beauty standards of our time. Here's VidyaBalan's take on Body Shaming.

Mirror - https://youtu.be/veOFewKHO44 Mirror is a short film about insecurity and confidence seen through our minds and how people judge us according to our beauty. Let’s talk about body shaming - https://youtu.be/24k64HRdGo8 AYE MOTI, AYE MACHIS KI TILI, WOH DEKH KADDU..BAHOT HUA BE,        Chalobaatkarein, Aurchupkarein with our inbuilt confidence. Share a beautiful story by RJ Vashishth

Post session assessment

Here are some suggestions to improve the language of the facilitator's opinion:

• Practice being kind to your body. 
• Remind yourself of your worth. 
• Understand your own cultural and societal context. 
• You don't need to change yourself to please others. 
• Focus on the health of your body, not just its appearance. 
• Be aware of what is healthy for your body, both physically and mentally. 
• Avoid making negative comments about others' bodies, and accept people as they are because everyone is unique in their own way.