11.08.2005

dying to be thin


I'm ashamed to admit that I've uttered such phrases as "I wish I was just a bit skinnier" or "my hips are just a bit too big." I sometimes even think "if I just worked out more regularly I could be a size 4." Fortunately I was blessed with good genes and have never had to battle weight issues, and I generally think I have a healthy self-image. However, this is an indicator to me that many women at some point in their life have been dissatisfied with their bodies. I'm not suggesting that men aren't ever concerned with their bodies, but I wonder if their concern is as frequent or serious as it is for women.

This was brought particularly to light when I watched a video presentation given by Jean Kilbourne entitled "Killing us Softly 3: Advertising's Image of Women." She discussed the media's portrayal of women today and throughout the years. I was discouraged that for a so-called enlightened society we are still being bombarded with advertising that objectifies women, promotes violence against women, and accepts pornography. I was startled at how subtle these images can be, yet it pervades our beliefs and attitudes at a subconscious level. Unfortunately this kind of advertising sells in our society, and therefore advertisers, both men and women, continue to put it out there. I think there are many ways this spills over to women's perceptions of themselves, one of which is body image.

The day after watching this video I randomly stumbled upon a website about anorexia. I hesitate to even bring attention to these kinds of sites, but I was completely surprised by it. At first I thought it was a tongue in cheek site, but I soon realized that these women were in support of anorexia. The site was plastered with pictures of very emaciated women. The women defined themselves as anorectics by choice, saying "Volitional, proactive anorexia is not a disease or a disorder. It is a lifestyle choice that begins and ends with a particular faculty human beings seem in drastically short supply of today: the will. Contrary to popular misconception, volitional anorectics possess the most iron-cored, indomitable wills of all. Our way is not that of the weak. Self-control has never been the way of the weak. To deliberately direct one's course of action apart from the impulses of raw instinct and desire requires discipline, inner strength, persistence, and focus." Yes, I will concede that anorexics have will... but not in a healthy, positive direction. The women stated that they "strive for perfection" and desire to see "bones." This is not a lifestyle choice, this is a disease. I find it discouraging and disheartening that there are women who struggle with eating disorders and believe that the way to true perfection is through starving their minds and bodies, literally wasting away. Our physical features are only one aspect of who we are, and if we become hyper-focused on how we look or how our clothes fit, we neglect our spiritual, relational, and intellectual selves. We are not whole when we only concern ourselves with the size of our waist.

I know that I can't change the world, but I can start by changing myself. I can start accepting myself for my limitations and my strengths. I can choose to not support companies that advertise in such a way that is demeaning to any person, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

I do want to link to a site that helps those struggling with eating disorders, and I hope we will all think a little more seriously about this issue and how it impacts our society.... because this is not healthy (warning: this image is disturbing).

end of soapbox.

6 comments:

Joy said...

Its funny. Last night i was in the car with two friends. One friend mentioned a girl's weight...the other friend jumped on him because he mentioned weight...It drove home to me how unfortunately weight is a big deal. Sigh. And yet, I know I'm guilty of it too.

elisabeth said...

i used to try to eat lots of bananas because someone told me i could GAIN weight from it. i guess i was guilty in the opposite way.

Anonymous said...

Apparently, another reason anorexia is on the rise is because there are sites like the one you came across that let an anorexic know she isn't alone in her desire to be thin. A bit scary when there are support groups that encourage something so devastating to the body and mind.

Sara

Anonymous said...

SICK. That girl doesn't look so good in green. I'll try those bananas, heaps of butter and homo milk just ain't doin it.

David said...

aisy, we might need to discuss this offline, but was the site you mentioned related to a "winged insect?"

if so, i've seen it before. someone mentioned it on a ben folds website. horrendous stuff, except this was more for a more youthful audience.

girls calling really skinny celebs their "thinspiration" and bragging about being able to see their collar bones.

weight has been an interesting part of my life however. for the first 25 years of my life, i was an overweight gentleman. not HUGE.. but definitely, over weight. it caused me a lot of stress and self esteem issues. so i know what it's like to put a lot of emotional investment on your appearance. it's so hard. i can really relate to these girls in way.

for people who have never delt with self image issues, you really are lucky.

aisy said...

the sites definitely sound similar... tragic really. you bring up a good point david because i think many people deal with self image issues. our society tends to put a lot of weight (no pun intended) on physical appearance and we have exceptionally ridiculous standards that we compare ourselves to. so much of what we see in magazines is air brushed and digitally enhanced.

it's a pity