The Biggest Misconception About Body Positivity

Body Positivity has developed as a movement of activism over the last decade, and its popularity stems from loving one’s self unconditionally. The subject matter of my Masters thesis focuses on the representations of Body Positivity in the media. One of the things that most people get wrong about Body Positivity is that as a movement, it is only reserved for ‘bigger’ women. The research I found refutes this belief as it is far from the truth! When I wrote my thesis, I relied on various international resources (since there is none in Africa), and found that Body Positivity extends beyond the fatphobic lens. In other words, it is not only reserved for bigger, plus-sized, or curvier women.

Body Positivity can be viewed as an extension of body image and fatphobic theories, as it focuses on representing the perceived ‘flawed’ masculine and feminine bodies across various media platforms. I found that Body Positivity advocates the assertion that all people deserve to have a positive body image despite their body shape, size, gender, or stature.

This image is a great example of different women who are body activists. That’s me in the middle of two beautiful and slim women. It may seem like slim women shouldn’t have body issues because they subscribe to what is known as traditional perfection. However, slim people, and in particular, slim women experience body shaming on a daily basis. Should they embrace their ‘perceived’ flaw and love themselves unconditionally, they can be called body activists. As I have mentioned in my previous blog post, nearly everybody has been body shamed in one form or another. Some women have been told they’re not curvy enough, and some women have been told their skin is too dark. Some women have been called ‘fat’ and ugly, and these are all actions of body shaming. The point of the movement is not to be radical, but informative. Let us not make the mistake of thinking we cannot be ‘Body Positive’ if we do not subscribe to being a ‘bigger’ individual.

Here is a YouTube Video that addresses the things we get wrong about Body Positivity, and this topic is one of them. This is for those who prefer watching and listening to videos, instead of reading.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOoMdqmcKZ0