Shockingly, the whole hoo-har of 'when did this become hotter than this' is turning women against each other- conflicting their opinions and targeting the opposite body shape. A sensitive topic, it allows women to get their claws out and fight for what they think is right. And let's just say, we all know someone who enjoys doing that…
So with every scratch and roar, some women are taking their cat fight to social media, using internet 'memes' to support their point. This raises three questions: one, why can't people accept other people's opinion? Two, why does your body shape matter to the point that it causes so much controversy and anger? And three, why do these 'ever-so-important' opinions need to be posted on social media? *Yawn*
It is no news that there is some sort of metaphoric tug of war between curvy and skinny people. In the recent years, our social media feeds have been bombarded with images of body transformations and comparisons between people of different sizes. It was until the other night I found an image and decided to read the comments, which you will gather, left me feeling pretty opinionated and critical upon the matter. Understandably, anyone would when people are arguing what is better- challenging those of the opposite shape and size that in fact their body IS the best and is what men WANT. The one difference between me and the people commenting on that image is that I had no desire to let my voice be heard on what progressed into a brutal Facebook war. So I decided to do it on here and make a valid argument (unlike the other commenters). The image used was the one below:
The first thing that drew my attention was the crazy 'thigh gap' in Candice Swanepoel's legs. It kinda creeps me out but anyway. More importantly was the fact that people were so willing to let themselves be heard- regardless of how others may react to it. Name-calling, swearing, and directing their opinion at individuals on the comments, people seemed to have no filter (or care) at how it can hurt someone's feelings. Social media destroys our communicational barriers. It allows people to adopt another (and more argumentative) persona. It was almost like people were looking to find an argument and get them riled up. All that came to mind is how much time they were wasting on something that simply stated an opinion (hence the 'I think') and why they couldn't just accept that. But yet again, why on social media? To reach more people? To make more people involved in an active and persistent debate?
As the comments flooded through, it was clear that skinnier girls were offended at how they were portrayed as an unrealistic figure- arguing how it isn't their fault and that it's natural for them. I understand, this image targets skinny people whilst applauding those who are curvy. But what isn't taken into consideration is that curvy people are targeted (and even ignored) in other ways, such as on the catwalk and in the media. The act of compromising is not considered. The image is simply a justification; a response to what has been the norm for the last decade, that being curvy is not desirable. This led me to the thought of what possessed someone to put this online. Maybe the power of social media allows people to unite in their opinions? For example, you click the 'like' button and join others in their preferences- getting some sort of weird social buzz from it. It's like you willing and instantly join a Facebook group of people who prefer curvy people to skinny people and for some reason, feel instantly better from it, like a virtual high five for sharing the same ideology. It's all pretty bizarre.
As the comments flooded through, it was clear that skinnier girls were offended at how they were portrayed as an unrealistic figure- arguing how it isn't their fault and that it's natural for them. I understand, this image targets skinny people whilst applauding those who are curvy. But what isn't taken into consideration is that curvy people are targeted (and even ignored) in other ways, such as on the catwalk and in the media. The act of compromising is not considered. The image is simply a justification; a response to what has been the norm for the last decade, that being curvy is not desirable. This led me to the thought of what possessed someone to put this online. Maybe the power of social media allows people to unite in their opinions? For example, you click the 'like' button and join others in their preferences- getting some sort of weird social buzz from it. It's like you willing and instantly join a Facebook group of people who prefer curvy people to skinny people and for some reason, feel instantly better from it, like a virtual high five for sharing the same ideology. It's all pretty bizarre.
In modern society, the idea of curvy has had people in question. What classifies curvy? Where does the line draw between curvy and overweight? Curvy women out there have been justifying their figure for the last few years now against the one industry that made skinny trendy: fashion. The bony, more masculine figure became fashionable and in my opinion, still is. Clothes shops are still catering for skinnier people and ignoring that women do have boobs and hips. I understand that there are certain cuts out there that don't flatter non-hourglass bodies, but there are also clothes out there designed with the skinny body in mind and you only have to take one look at catwalk pictures to prove it.
But catwalks and fashion aside, the unification of curvy people seems to be driven by one thing; that their body is what men want. As delusional as it sounds, women seek to please men physically, which greatly frustrates me. The culturally sensitive nature of women, as proven on the comments of the image, is for them to care about what others think over the importance of their own self-confidence and self-esteem. Male opinion is a crucial factor in justifying the curvy figure on social media sites, mainly Facebook. Whoever put this image online, wanted men to like this- proudly committing themselves to the opinion that 'I think this looks better than this' aka. 'I don't like skinny women'. Women then access the information of 'likers' and feel better if their curvy figure has had the male approval. Unfortunately, making one feel better, makes another feel worse. What the comments on the image show is that 'memes' like this create a huge emotional impact. And for what? Changing a law, gaining world peace? It's only for wanting to be the most attractive, popular, and sought-after body shape- that's all.
What's proven is that it's not even worth it: the targeting, the justification, the argument. Everyone has their own opinion but the context of social media provides no substance to the argument and opinions, as you instantly become another commenter on the image that feeds the constant and repetitive debate. If anything, you are connoting ideas that you're uneducated, bored, and easily offended. The key is to not care. If we didn't care, then the whole curvy/skinny war wouldn't be an issue on social media and responsive images like these wouldn't be posted. The public have the power to determine what makes social media as we are the contributors. Our size shouldn't be part of it. Besides, your body shape is only a fraction of what makes you attractive.
x
But catwalks and fashion aside, the unification of curvy people seems to be driven by one thing; that their body is what men want. As delusional as it sounds, women seek to please men physically, which greatly frustrates me. The culturally sensitive nature of women, as proven on the comments of the image, is for them to care about what others think over the importance of their own self-confidence and self-esteem. Male opinion is a crucial factor in justifying the curvy figure on social media sites, mainly Facebook. Whoever put this image online, wanted men to like this- proudly committing themselves to the opinion that 'I think this looks better than this' aka. 'I don't like skinny women'. Women then access the information of 'likers' and feel better if their curvy figure has had the male approval. Unfortunately, making one feel better, makes another feel worse. What the comments on the image show is that 'memes' like this create a huge emotional impact. And for what? Changing a law, gaining world peace? It's only for wanting to be the most attractive, popular, and sought-after body shape- that's all.
What's proven is that it's not even worth it: the targeting, the justification, the argument. Everyone has their own opinion but the context of social media provides no substance to the argument and opinions, as you instantly become another commenter on the image that feeds the constant and repetitive debate. If anything, you are connoting ideas that you're uneducated, bored, and easily offended. The key is to not care. If we didn't care, then the whole curvy/skinny war wouldn't be an issue on social media and responsive images like these wouldn't be posted. The public have the power to determine what makes social media as we are the contributors. Our size shouldn't be part of it. Besides, your body shape is only a fraction of what makes you attractive.
x
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