Why is it socially acceptable to criticize skinny women?

It isn’t where I come from.

It shouldn’t be, but I think those kind of perceptions (that the skinny women should be able to take it) are going to be around for a long time.

I don’t think these generalizations are true.

I do think that overweight women are criticized and called fat.

I don’t think it is any more acceptable to speak about a thin person’s body than it is an overweight person’s.

It’s just really poor form to comment negatively about anybody’s body type.

It’s not, and I didn’t like that question anyway.

If you don’t think it’s true, check out the thread that inspired the question. It’s not just this one either, I see this every time I see a discussion to this effect. Granted, it’s a discussion of preferences, so most of the comments are simply people’s opinions, but even so, a lot of people on that thread seemed to think that it was okay to imply that skinny women are gross or unappealling in some way.

I don’t mean this to be an attack on any posters on that thread, either I hope it doesn’t come off that way…! It’s just the general attitude that I’m noticing.

@Mariah If my eating disorder comment on that thread offended you then I apologize. I don’t mind skinny women. Some are extremely attractive. And genetics play a role in it as well. I don’t criticize them. I just find that society can be very judgement towards curvy and thicker women. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

@Mikewlf337 No need to apologize! I’m not offended, and I’m not trying to create dramallamaz here by bringing that thread up. It’s just an example of the attitude I’m talking about.

I do agree that some people can be judgemental towards curvy women, but then I think sometimes other people try to overcompensate for that by then criticizing skinny women instead. The solution to the critical view of overweight people is not to criticize underweight people, it’s to stop criticizing anyone for their body type!!

Great question, I was thinking the exact same thing when I read it; ‘Real women have a little meat on them’...eh yeah, skinney women aren’t real women at all… Their CRAP!!!

Because we “skinny” women probably don’t take it to heart as deeply. You’ve got to be a near skeleton to called unattractively skinny whereas a little soft spot here and there and the criticisms and thinly veiled jokes start to fly.

@noelleptc “Isn’t that the same with overweight girls? (cow, fat, whale…?)”
Thing is, though, in my experience when those kinds of comments come up, there will usually be someone who comes to the overweight girl’s defense or at least acknowledges that those comments are rude. But people always seem to think it’s okay to agree when someone says that a girl looks twiggy, or bony, or anorexic. I don’t know, maybe I’ve just had a really skewed experience! I’m kind of surprised that other people don’t seem to think that this attitude is prevalent.

“It’s a part of life though. People talk about what they like or don’t like for whatever reason.”
I don’t care if it’s just a discussion of preferences; it’s not an insult if you’re simply saying you don’t prefer a skinny body type for whatever reason. It only irks me when people start saying things like “skinny girls look gross,” or “real women have curves,” and the only response is a chorus of “yeah, I agree” and no one acknowledges that these things are rather insulting. Probably because skinny girls aren’t really looked upon as a group that needs defending.

Eh, I agree.

It does seem to be way more socially acceptable to be negative towards thin women. You can say “skinny bitch” or allude to an eating disorder that may or may not be present, in a more public way than you can call someone a “whale.”

Society is too fucking judgmental of women’s bodies. Period. Enough already. Leave us alone, it’s probably far more destructive than you even realise.

Eating disorders are a product of everyone’s shallowness anyways.

@noelleptc is on to something also, in that slender women catch a lot of backlash for all of the supermodels and tv and movie stars that are glorified for being incredibly thin.

Most women feel that is unattainable, and to glorify it as the ideal stirs up a lot of emotion. There always seems to be this sort of rumbling for more average looking bodies in the media, and I think it builds the hostility towards all thin women. Truth is, most people like it, or it wouldn’t continue to sell.

I agree with @TheOnlyNeffie- Skinny women do catch a lot of crap. People think they’re anorexic, sickly, starving, unhappy and feel it’s okay to be nosey and ask if we get enough to eat or aren’t we hungry all the time and let me tell you, other women treat us worse than any teasing my guys.

The thing that makes me agree even more is that I can imagine how many people sit on the other side of a screen, or listen to something like what @Neizvestnaya just said and think to themselves “Oh boo-hoo, your life must be so terrible.”

Not saying anyone here necessarily, but I’ve definitely heard comments not far from that on more occasions than I can count – always aimed at skinny women. I think @Mariah is also right, in that fewer people will jump to a thin woman’s defense. I suspect the same applies to the wealthy.. you know the saying, you can never be too rich or too thin. People have a hard time feeling sympathy for those who have what we want.

Just for the record, by no definition am I a “skinny girl.” Not that it matters, but just in case anyone questions my motives. I seriously have a problem with how acceptable it is to criticize women’s figures, period.

It seems to me it is socially acceptable to criticize anything you choose about white women. If you say it about a woman of color it is racist, not sexist, same for muslim, etc. But a plain ole imperfect white woman is always fair game, especially if you are blond.

Because being skinny is highly desirable within our society. When someone is accused of being too skinny, it’s not a real insult—not the same way it is when someone’s accused of being too fat.

Also, jealousy.

It’s necessary to delve deeper and establish some context—are we talking about fucking these ladies, or eating them?

I’d agree that this is prevalent to some extent. You can be called all the different names for “thin” (including the ones with very negative connotations), but call someone a name for “fat” and it’s a crime. As others have said, this stems from the fact that being fat is viewed as much more negative than being skinny. Overweight girls get teased and rejected in school; the same just doesn’t apply to the thinner ones (even if they’re on the low end of being thin). And even less so for guys. I don’t think I received a single comment about being skinny when I was in school (despite the fact that I was thin as a wire for most of school. Got plenty of “small”-related comments though). Must be much harder for a girl.

This pattern happens when marginalized groups (or sympathizers/friends, whatever you want to say) “turn the tables”. They often become corrupt with their new-found “power” and overdo it. Fat people are traditionally marginalized. Being fat is viewed as worse than being skinny. So, people became very opposed to anti-overweight comments especially because girls get bullied for it. But they overdo it to the point that comments against thin girls become accepted. Same goes for introverts and extroverts. Introverts are often bullied and rejected by people, so it becomes unacceptable to make fun of a “quiet” person or a “loner”. But then, it’s overdone to the point where it’s now acceptable to say that outgoing or extroverted people are “stupid”.

Of course, despite all of that, it’s still more negative to be “fat”. The tables can only be turned so far…

Some aren’t necessarily criticisms. I mean, it all depends on the person, but Twiggy sure doesn’t have a problem with being called twiggy.

When you call someone a whale, what you’re saying is that they’re a horrible person who’s inflicting pain upon the world with their lack of self-control. When you call someone a twig or a waif, what you’re saying is that you’re jealous and you’re trying to demean them to make yourself feel better. The first is saying the other person is inferior, the later is saying that the other person is superior.

Because society and hollywood defines beautiful as skinny.

Personally I don’t think it’s okay to criticize anyone thin, heavy, black, brown, yellow, white, blonde, brunette, redhead and so on.

And if I ever have I truly apologize.

I guess being on the opposite of the weight spectrum I feel like heavy people are criticized a lot more than thinner people. Or maybe I just don’t notice the criticism aimed towards thinner people. Very good question though.

I think everyone has criticized or made fun of someone for something. We can be pretty nasty. I think mankind is pretty nasty in general. Look at all we do to each other that other animals don’t do.

@Mikewlf337 So true and so sad.

@Mikewlf337 agreed

My first thought is that skinny women are considered to be closer to the “ideal physique” in western society than fat women, so it’s presumed that they’ll not take insults regarding such particularly seriously. Atleast, not as seriously as fat women may.

It should be socially acceptable to criticise anyone. So long as it’s done in a polite, civil and respectful manner/context, and preferably to someone who’s unlikely to be upset by said criticisms.

@Mikewlf337
Humans criticise one another for being too thin/fat/small; other animals kill one another for being too thin/fat/small to fight back. The “unlike animals” argument is all too easy to deem valid when none of us have lived a day as another animal.

@Nially_Bob Thank you knower of all knowledge.

I have always wondered this. I hate it when people make digs about my size (I have been accused, to my face, of being anorexic before – is that any less offensive than asking a larger person if they have any self control?). People (of all sizes) need to stop making criticizing others and start looking in the mirror and asking themselves whether they are truely happy with themselves. If they were truely happy with thselves then they wouldn’t feel the need to criticize others.

@Mikewlf337
I apologise. I didn’t mean any disrespect, though on evaluation I can understand how my assertions may have appeared pretentious. I was merely stating that I believe things are never as simple as they seem, regardless of the lifestyle one inhabits.

It’s only acceptable when it’s self inflicted for example when trying to follow extreme fashion and model hypes. I think this is the right approach sending the right signals:

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/victoria-beckham-size-zero-models

Fashion Week extravaganza kicks off with the news that designer Victoria Beckham specifically banned super-skinny models from walking in her Spring 2011 catwalk presentation.

The Daily Mirror reports that Victoria Beckham turned away at least 12 models for being too thin. In an industry where exposed ribs and disastrous image retouching are the norm, Beckham’s insistence on portraying a positive image is most commendable.

@mattbrowne: and again, I am stunned by the range of your knowledge.

@mattbrowne Whilst I agree with the idea of not giving super skinny models the work because of the bad message it will give, it’s a bit rich coming from someone like Victoria Beckham!

@Leanne1986 – that’s what I was thinking, ole Posh is so skinny a moderate breeze would probably bowl her over if she weren’t hanging onto Becks! and I don’t blame her for hanging onto Becks, I would too!!!

I’m skinny. I eat healthy, exercise and genetically have a predisposition to being skinny. I can eat loads and not gain any weight. I am very happy with myself and so is my DOCTOR. I always get “You can afford to eat that cake.” (I don’t eat cake bc processed sugar is not good for you) “You’re so skinny”(as the person grabs my arm) “You look like you’re withering away to nothing”(that one reduced me to tears) “Give it to her, she can use a couple of lbs.”(thanks you’re not my dietition or my personal trainer) “I used to be able to fit into those pants”(that’s always an awkward position to respond to) IT’S RUDE TO COMMENT ON SOMEONES WEIGHT SKINNY OR FAT. MYOB adult 5’3 112lbs is not anorexic. If you think the person has a problem research it and contact a help line.

I just hate it when people say real women have curves >8( !