NO PERFECT BODY!

In ancient times, women's large bodies were idealized for their childbearing propensity.

In the mid-18 century, as food ceased to be a scarce commodity, this association of fat with prosperity waned.

At the same time, a growing fascination with classical antiquity made slimmer Greek and roman bodies the ideal European society.

In post-world war Europe and America, psychologists perpetuated ideas of overweight women emotionally being disturbed and maladjusted, and thinness became synonymous with women's attractiveness and emotional health.

In the Indian subcontinent, the notion of linking bodyweight with prosperity remained strong.

Even in the 1960s when the scientific emphasis on obesity accelerated fatphobia in the west, Indian pop culture was idealized well into the 70s and 80s.

But in the 90s something changed. As the global fashion industry standards made their mark on India, so did an emphasis on thinness. This only increased in the 2000s, as entire industries grew around diet, food habits, weight, and fitness. 

Size zero now became a body type to aspire to, and celebrities who didn't fit in the thin norm were often shamed in the media for their body weight.

Indian pop culture reinforces this problem, by portraying fat female characters as one dimensional, and only defined by their weight.

Fat single women are never portrayed as a sexually viable option for the hero. A woman who gained weight after marriage is also not desirable. She's either domineering or overbearing someone her husband is always trying to escape. Or she's one whose husband has lost interest in her because she's 'let herself go' while taking care of her children or household or her husband.

And these stereotypes on screen reflect our attitudes off it.

In a society that still centers marriage on young girls, a single women's fatness can be viewed as a burden for her entire family.

But where do these perceptions of women's weight come from? Tying a women's worth to her physical appearance, and then shaming anyone who doesn't fit a narrow beauty standard, is pervasive.

But we have to remember that body beauty standards have changed and shifted throughout human history. based on economics society and culture. What was beautiful earlier was now mocked, and what was lauded now was criticized earlier.

However, throughout these times, the natural female body has remained the same. Diverse in shapes and sizes.

Sure it may be hard for us to feel confident about our bodies when there's constant shaming all around.

But the cycle of shaming only breaks when we realize there's a problem. So the next time when you comment on someone's weight or shame yourself for your weight. 

May be remember Where the tendency comes from?

It's possible That the problem is not with your body.

It's with patriarchy.

-Sravani