I came across a study in Glamour that really stuck out to me. It was about the stereotyping women do to each other based on whether they are overweight or thin. Overweight = lazy, slob, no self control; thin = bitchy, stuck up, mean. We cannot size up a person just by their appearance. Don't get me wrong, I judge, stereotype etc. just like everyone else. No one is above it. Does it make it right? No - but it's natural instinct. Every body is different. Every person is different. We don't know their life, personality, thoughts etc. unless we make the effort to get to know them. We don't know what they've been through & we tend to forget the golden rule is a two way street. I'm not saying that appearance shouldn't mean anything, it just should be everything...don't define the person by something like their weight.
That woman who you think is "fat & lazy" may be more active & healthy than you are. The thin woman could be completely unhealthy & lazy too. And what's so great about being thin yet anorexic? That woman who looks "obese" to you could be because of a health condition & she's eating a stricter/healthier diet than some woman who you would classify as thin - the thin one could be eating greasy fast food crap & sitting around being lazy. I also think it is funny that our society within the last 100 years has created this "image" of what we think is the "perfect" woman - thin, toned etc. but the average waist size in the US for women is a 14. Yep, that's right. The weight prejudice reminds me of Pretty Woman. That's a prime example of how we judge each other based off of our looks. You make your mind up about a person typically in the 1st few sec/min of seeing/meeting them & sometimes 1st impressions are hard to overcome once someone has made up their mind. I worked retail for many years & was guilty of thinking that the shabby customer wasn't going to buy anything or steal something, yet the well groomed customer is the one who did the stealing. That's just one example.
Has anyone else thought that it was kind of ironic that the standard image of beauty is super thin & almost, if not all, impossible to achieve & in reality our waste sizes go the other way? And I think it's strange that there is not a bigger market towards the average American woman's size - a lot of time too, the selection of clothing is horrendous & just not flattering. It would make sense to me to cater to this group considering its the average size across the board. At least gives them some flattering clothing choices. It doesn't matter what size you are, we all can wear something that looks horrible on us if we don't know what shapes/colors/patterns/fabric flatter our natural figure.
Of course there are going to be women who "fit" the stereotypes - but I don't believe that has to do with their waist size. Any woman of any size can have any of those traits. I guess my question is why are we so mean to each other? And yes, the fashion industry is ruthless when it comes to appearance - but part of the reason I've always been drawn to the fashion world is because a) it's ever changing - like playing dress up everyday as a little girl) b) everything is beautiful (it's suppose to be. It appeals to our wants/desires) c) it's not real. Now let me explain C. To me, the fashion ralm is a fantasy. That doesn't mean it's not real - its just what society perceives to be beautiful/perfect/the best of the best. Does that make sense? For instance, when you see models or celebrities on the front cover of your favorite magazine & they look flawless & skinny & all that - we don't think about airbrushing, photoshop, the actual make up, & these people have personal trainers & chefs or whatever to keep them in shape - that's because that is part of their job. I think it's safe to say that a lot of the average Americans do not have the time to be in the gym for 3 hours, everyday or pay for a personal trainer & chef - if you do, that's awesome. I know I'm not one of those people. While I still daydream & wish I looked like whoever, I'm just me.
I'll never be someone else; & God made me the way I am. If I have learned anything from my horrendous divorce, it's that material things don't matter, things like your waist size doesn't define who you are & there is only one Judge.
So after all this rambling, I guess my point is that women, we need to quit being so bitchy to each other. I know it's easier said than done. Some would say I'm a bitch, which sometimes I am, but it's not about what you may think. Anyways, beauty comes from within & no matter your waist size we are all beautiful in our own way.
*Pugs & Kisses*
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