Lookism---and the "Fat acceptance movement"

[happydreams]

Lookism is discrimination against or prejudice towards others based on their appearance. The term is not in widespread use, though it appears in major English language dictionaries.

Lookism has received scholarly attention both from a cultural studies and an economics perspective. In the former context, lookism relates to preconceived notions of beauty and cultural stereotyping based on appearance as well as gender roles and expectations. Important economic considerations include the question of income gaps based on looks, as well increased or decreased productivity from workers considered beautiful or ugly by their co-workers.



www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookism -

....... ............

I will never denigrate a person ever again based on weight. I have in the past and I apologize. It dawned on me one day, or maybe over the course of time how seriously wrong it is. No different than any other "ism". Some time ago at DU a post was made about this overweight kid who was murdered after he had been harassed endlessly by the murderers (other kids).

I always extend a kind word or smile to people who are overweight, because I know they don't get much of it in this body obsessed brain-damn-near-dead culture.

The fat acceptance movement, also the size acceptance movement or fat liberation movement or fat power, is a grassroots effort to change societal attitudes towards individuals who are fat. The movement consists today of a diverse group of people, who have different beliefs about how best to address the widespread prejudice and discrimination against people whose girth is considered to be above average in contemporary Western societies.

Generally dated to the 1970s, the 1980s and 1990s witnessed an increase in activist organizations, publications, and conferences. In the 1980s new anti-dieting programs and models began to appear in the research literature, in response to new information dispelling common myths about obesity.<18> The contemporary movement perceives negative societal attitudes as persistent, and based on the presumption that the rotund characteristics of a person's body reflect negative character traits of that person.<9><19> For example in Chang and Christakis paper they state this belief by stating that obesity is detrimental to the community, by means of decreasing human efficiency, and that obese people interfere with labour productivity (V Chang and N Christakis, 2002). Furthermore, these diet-touting trends and societal views have led to an increase in psychological and physiological problems among those who feel that their weight is above the "socially acceptable norm".




Fat acceptance movement -
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sizeism -

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. There is fat and there is obese

and I think this must be a line drawn between the two. Obesity can and often does lead to health problems. If a medical condition is found to be connected to BMI, and an MD says that the condition can be alleviated by a reduction in weight, this opinion should not be taken as a statement prejudicial to an individual. I have lost about 50 pounds because I needed to do something about my blood pressure and my heart rate. This reduction in weight has not made me thin, but rather healthy. The food eating plan I am on is a healthy one for me, and one that I need to stay on the rest of my life.

[Gman2]

27. Here here

strangers should keep their mouths shut, but, friends should strenuously support any efforts to change weight or habits. Even a little weight affects medical outcomes and chronic conditions, overstressed joints from frollicking in youth. I lost fifty pounds after getting heart failure, thanks to Bush not thinking to tell us about BPA{I am a moldmaker,plastic}. The losing of the weight almost killed me, I didnt try. After losing the weight, and taking appropriate meds, I had conquered sleep apnea, horrible blood pressure, high heartrate, bad knee, lessened my rapid exhaustion, due to heart failure. Sleep is more comfortable, yadda yadda yadda.

My father and mother visited yesterday. We went to the zoo. My father has heart disease, and a destroyed knee cartilage. They offered to take me to a nice ital. restaurant. An hour before we were to leave, he says he wants popcorn. I said no. We will eat soon enough. I dont feel any remorse for that. Those that are beyond their ability to control weight to their health, need help, by those that dont judge anything but their best interests. That is not a jerk. Remember your mothers admonishments? Remember her locking you out of the house, and telling you to go play hard. Remember her yelling at you to stop snacking, you'll ruin your dinner? It is far too important to your health, to tiptoe around your insecurities and not be that help. Sometimes it takes a village.

[boppers]

2. Have you avoided discriminating against smokers and drinkers, too?

People who make different choices about their health tend to stir up ire in others.

Not sure why.

[happydreams]

4. I quit smoking a long time ago. It was hard as hell to quit and I now

know, but didn't then, that smokers are, to a large extent victims of the tobacco industry's spiking cigarettes and commercials. It makes me sick. I also extend a friendly nod to them.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Convenience foods and the food industry encourages obesity

High fructose corn syrup is found in almost everything, even salad dressings, for example. The food industry encourages people to eat things that might not be good for them (for example, carbohydrate sensitive people don't need to eat cereal--to them, oatmeal is a very unhealthy food choice, not the 'health food' the industry touts it to be). Sugar in its various forms can be highly addictive.

[happydreams]

38. There is a link to some of the foods you mention and desire for alcoholic

drinks. But I've forgotten which ones. It is really sad to see the skyrocketing rates of Diabetes in kids and you know its related to food industry commercials.

[Missy Vixen]

3. Every day is a struggle

Whenever I meet someone new, I'm wondering: Will there be an issue with this person because I am not the norm? I would love to say that I am treated just like anyone else in public, but there's too much evidence to the contrary. It's even worse that I am over 40. After all, women who aren't "hawt" and over 40 do not deserve to live, do they?

I have a friend who is significantly underweight. She just has a fast metabolism, which someone like me might pray for, but for her is hell. She can't get through a day without someone approaching her and asking if she's ill, encouraging her to eat something, etcetera. Surprisingly enough, the last time I saw her, we talked about weightlifting. It would add muscle and bulk for her, and may make me leaner.

As I have said before, this has nothing to do with "health". It's all about appearance. It's interesting to note that so many people have not outgrown their junior-high impulses to mock, deride and bully anyone who's not exactly like them, and that includes appearance. There is a reason why, in a recent survey, people said they'd rather lose a year off their lives than be fat.

Julie

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. You say it doesn't have anything to do with health, but I

politely disagree. And yet I know where you are coming from. I was teased throughout grade school for being overweight ("big fat slob" was the mildest of the taunts). I didn't have dates because of my stocky appearance (and the fact that I was intelligent and wasn't willing to "play dumb" for the boys), and was never considered popular. I was lucky in that the employment I have found has never been in a field where looks were all that important. And I have switched jobs and career paths in my 40s and 50s, when I was at my heaviest.

Now I have my dream job, working for a health education non-profit foundation. I have learned the importance of proper diet to overall health--not to becoming "thin and beautiful", but to stay as healthy as possible. And there is a significant health factor that one must take into account when one talks about weight. I'm talking about things way beyond the usual diseases associated with obesity. At our demonstration clinic, we've had patients who couldn't lose weight even when following an eating program designed expressly for them. What the doctor has found is that those people had profound malabsorption problems and also sensitivities to foods that had not been discovered before. Adjustment in diet and proper medication and supplements have provided relief for these people and caused their conditions to stop deteriorating.

[mwei924]

6. It's just part of our culture to think thin girls are prettier.

There are barely any non-thin actresses in Hollywood, and even the ones who say they're promoting a healthy image are still pretty thin (Kate Winslet).

[AngryAmish]

17. It is not culture, men are hardwired to find certain things pretty and sexually attractive

Across cultures if you show men pictures of women there is general agreement on who is the prettiest. Men look for symetry (left and right sides match), clear skin (sign of healthfulness), youthfulness (big heads, big eyes) and a certain breast/waist/hip ratio. All these things indicate youth and fertility.

These things get amplified in Hollywood because it is true everyone looks fatter on film.

[RFKJrNews]

25. Are they also hardwired

...to believe that just because a woman is physically attractive and pleasing to the eye that she lacks a brain?

Seems to be the unfortunate experience of many good-lookin', smart women in the workplace...yesterday and today.

Lookism sucks!

[AngryAmish]

33. No.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

31. But those beauty ideals change as society changes

Earlier in our history, and in some cultures today, plump women are held as women to desire--their plumpness showed success in getting enough food to eat. Our standards of beauty, especially in the weight department, have changed drastically even in my lifetime. I read somewhere that Marilyn Monroe, the icon of beauty and sexiness in the 1950s, wore size 14 clothes and had measurements that would now be considered fat.

[AngryAmish]

32. MM, "Rubenesque" women: all had the same breast/waist/hip ratio

You are right that some beauty standards change with fashion. (BTW, MM stats you are citing are an urban myth)

Some things are hardwired. In no society are elderly women considered the height of sexiness. Why? Ageism?

Women with terrible skin will never be considered attractive. Why? Signals of health.

My friend, we are still relatively hairless apes. We run around with brains that evolved in different circumstances. Prejudices of various types exist because we have these brains. But somehow reason also evolved, giving us the opportunity to get past stupid prejudice. Cheers.

[treestar]

36. They change to be what the rich can afford

Heavier women were wanted in earlier centuries because it meant they could afford to eat.

Later, being rich meant having the leisure to exercise - then it became being thin and tanned. (Until it was recognized that tanning too much would be unhealthy and dangerous).

No one is hard wired to anything but wanting financial security.

[treestar]

35. Women are also hardwired

To prefer the taller guy with the flat stomach and the bigger muscles, a lot of hair on their heads and symmetrical features.

Just watch any soap opera.

so what? It doesn't make the variety of mortals of less value.

I had all that symmetry when I was young and never attracted a lot of men, because of a shy personality. Where was all that hard wiring then, I could have used it.

[lukasahero]

40. Perhaps those "hard-wired" men might consider evolving someday?

Why is it we only believe in evolution as it relates to animals and yet can't seem to find it relevant to the human condition?

[Ex Lurker]

8. I try to be polite to everyone

and I strive to judge people on their character rather than appearance. That said, there are people who obviously don't take any pride in their appearance. It's hard not to draw conclusions about a person who's generally slovenly, and weight can be a part of that package, though by no means all.

Physical attractiveness is another matter altogether. In large measure we find certain types appealing based on psychological factors that we don't have much control over. I don't see any need to apologize for being attracted to one person over another.

[Missy Vixen]

12. Oh, I see

>It's hard not to draw conclusions about a person who's generally slovenly, and weight can be a part of that package, though by no means all.<

It's okay because they don't look the way you think they should, right?

It's hard not to draw conclusions about someone who tries to dress up the usual "fat, lazy, doesn't care about themselves" stereotypes to excuse their own prejudices.

Fat people aren't asking you to sleep with them. What they are asking you to do is to treat them with the same courtesy you treat others.

Julie

[Ex Lurker]

13. I thought that's what I said n/t

[tnlefty]

9. Rec'd and kicked...

I admire you for posting this, and I'm not up for the fight that will ensue. :hi:

[elshiva]

10. K&R I am tired with lookism/sizeism

[tnlefty]

11. Oooops, error, you've already rec'd this thread.

I was trying to get it on the front page for you.

[davidthegnome]

14. Does lookism seem like a really dumb word

to anyone else? Just curious.

I've always been 10-30 pounds overweight somewhere. The heavier I get the worse about myself I usually feel. For me it's a psychological thing, kids knew I was really self conscious about it when I was younger, teased me constantly. Even so, I'm probably 20 pounds overweight right now (not much for some, but depressing for me).

I think it's cruel, superficial, and really ignorant to judge people based on their weight. I do not think it's any of the above to comment on it unless you're doing it with the deliberate intention of offending someone.

A lot of people (myself included) are super sensitive about their weight, and some of us might take well meaning, harmless comments as insults/criticisms.

But hell, it's not for me to dictate morality. If someone wants to seriously insult me because of my weight, I'll laugh along with them, but they'll never get my respect. They'll already suffer greater punishment than I could inflict upon them - having to live with their own ignorance and needless cruelty.

[1776Forever]

15. Posted this reply to another post on this subject...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4518076&mesg_id=4518380

[Gregorian]

16. I was the smallest kid of 1200 in high school.

It was rough. On one hand, I didn't even exist. But the funny thing is, I was a great musician. Everyone looked up to me.

Hey, this is great therapy. I think I just solved a lifelong problem. No. I'm still fucked up. :)

[wildflower]

18. To me, people are often arguing over the wrong premise...

People seem to be arguing over whether or not obesity is caused by overeating, rather than whether or not suffering people deserve compassion.

Even if there were no medical causes for obesity, even if it were caused by just "addicted to eating too much"...someone suffering from this still deserves compassion, IMO. Cigarettes are addictive. Tobacco companies got in legal trouble for trying to hide it. So judging a smoker for not giving it up doesn't help anyone.

And even if they weren't suffering; even if every single overweight person were happy the way they are (and some are); they still deserve respect as human beings, IMO.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

19. I was recently browsing some magazine

And it had an article about the dancers in "Dancing with the Stars" or something like that (a show I don't watch, so I'm not sure).

Anyway, the gist of the article was about one of the male dancers telling two of the female dancers that they needed to lose weight. Turns out that both the females were SIZE FOUR! SIZE FOUR! Overweight? Oh my god, that is insane. SIZE FOUR!

I'm so sick of society and Hollywood telling women that their NATURAL size is something they need to fight to be beautiful.

[Cid_B]

20. Remember the episode...

... of South Park where Cartman threatens to sue if he doesn't receive a double helping of stroganof? Something about not supporting Cartman's lifestyle choice?

Yeah, this reminds me of that.

Being fat isn't good, ever, and this blind acceptance of everyone for everything is just to carte blanche for me.

[riqster]

21. It's not always eating habits that lead to being overweight

...and yes, while being overweight is not good for one's health, that is not a reason to discriminate against others based on weight.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

23. Well, that settles it.

If South Park says it, then it must be true. :eyes:

[Cid_B]

29. Who says they were right?

It just reminded me of the situation because of this idea that we have to accept everyone and everything just how they are and no judgments can be made.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

34. Yes, it's such an injustice when you aren't able to judge people, isn't it?

Why, what kind of satisfaction will you ever be able to derive from your existence if you can't determine who is beneath you and demonstrate your contempt for them freely?

:sarcasm:

[Lars39]

26. Funny how blind acceptance that South Park is the arbiter of good manners

and common decency seems to be a more acceptable norm, though.

[Missy Vixen]

28. I know I draw all my important life lessons from "South Park"

:sarcasm:

>Being fat isn't good, ever, and this blind acceptance of everyone for everything is just to carte blanche for me.

Well, gosh, aren't you one of the lucky ones? Considering the fact that there is more and more research stating that there is a genetic component to obesity, you've just made it clear that you're a bigot.

Perhaps you could share with us what other groups that deserve "blind acceptance of everyone for everything" you don't support, huh?

Julie

[ecstatic]

22. My parents are overweight

I don't even view them as fat, although I guess they are.

My concern is not their appearance, it's their health. I'm really scared that they will develop heart disease. Every now and then I beg them to begin exercise programs or at least cut back on some of the junk they eat. Is that wrong?

[Gman2]

30. Perhaps that is a good reason why people with good networks live longer

They dont just have their judgement, but others that care, to create some of the fences, they might not.

[dynasaw]

24. Obesity is a Disease

Being significantly overweight is a disease and IMHO we are experiencing an epidemic in this country. I personally don't buy the individual responsibility bit because there are too many people who are neither huge overeaters, nor lazy non-exercisers but people who pile seem to pile on the pounds. There is something going on in the food and soft drinks that is literally poisonous to the human system that no one is seriously looking into the way we once looked into the deadly effects of cigarettes. But the reluctance to think of obesity (and I don't mean people who are a few pounds too plump) is that "insurance companies would be forced to cover people's efforts to reduce their weight, this could increase insurance premiums and the already skyrocketing cost of health care in the US. "

Isn't this the same issue as alchoholism which is now recognized as a disease but was also once thought of as a matter of choice?

If obesity were looked at as a disease would we no longer attach a stigma to this phenomenon?

http://archive.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/4274

[windoe]

37. Beauty as a virtue

has been in the collective unconscious since ancient times. Beauty is doubtlessly a power, and the distortion, misuse and overindulgence of power in the modern Western world is reflected in the obsessions about outward appearances.

There needs to be a Renaissance to revive the arts, inner beauty and contemplation in our culture, we are starving for it, to be endlessly swayed by outward appearance is to be subject to manipulation and impulse.

These are only my thoughts on this today to share, since I grew up with bad eyesight, I usually felt people rather than depended on my eyes, and plenty of people have internal beauty and love about them that is exquisite and food for the soul.

[guitar man]

39. My wife is fat

And she's totally hot. I find that most of the ultra-skinny women that Hollywood pushes as what the "standard" of beauty is supposed to be don't do a thing for me. What really upsets me is when someone calls my attraction to big women a "fetish". Why in the hell would they call it that, it's just a preference, it's my preference and I'm not about to hide it from anybody.

Some people really need to get over themselves.