Don’t Know What Fatphobia Means? Here’s The Terrible Eye-Opening Truth
Hi Musers, when browsing Quora, Twitter, and other social media, I see many people who don’t understand what fatphobia means and dispute that it even exists. So today, we’re going to clear things up and discuss what fatphobia means.
Fatphobia? I’m Not Afraid Of Fat People!
No, of course you aren’t. However, in general, homophobia does not mean fear of gay folks any more than xenophobia is a fear of other races. Fatphobia does not mean you are afraid of fat people, per se. There’s probably an element of fear. Our looks-obsessed society has taught us to be more afraid of getting or being fat than almost anything else.
The main element of fatphobia, though, is hatred and feelings of disgust and revulsion towards fat people. As I explained in past articles, while we sadly live in a world where racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny and religious intolerance still exist, at least they are seen as unacceptable. In the western world, there are laws preventing discrimination based on these factors.
That is not the case for fat people. Rampant fatphobia exists, and not only is it acceptable, many people think it should be encouraged. Bash the fatty is a favourite game in the media and on social media. It’s disgusting, and it’s wrong. No one should be bullied based on how they look—end of story.
Are Anti-Fat and Fatphobia The Same Thing?
At their core, yes, they are. However, some folks don’t like using the term fatphobia, as some people have tried to claim homophobia and xenophobia as mental health conditions. They’re not, of course; they’re bigotry pure and simple. Fatphobia is no different. It is an unreasonable prejudice against fat people, one that is actively encouraged by governments, the media, and even the medical profession.
What Does Fatphobia Look Like? How Does It Show Itself?
You want examples of what fatphobia means in real life? Believe me, I can give you plenty!
Trolling and fat bashing online.
Some are overt and others less so. More high profile body liberation influencers get a lot of hateful comments on their social media posts. They’re called whales, told they’re disgusting, asked how they aren’t ashamed of their bodies, told they’re gonna die soon, look forward to your heart-attack, you’re a terrible example, and so on.
There was one particularly nasty example I saw on the page of one of my favourite influencers Georgina, also know as fullerfigurefullerbust. It’s absolutely hideous and hopefully will bring home to you how terrible it can get.
The less direct fatphobia comes in the form of all the jokes at fat people’s expense. The covid 15, fat pictures of apes and whales saying “me coming out of lockdown”. Yes, the person is directing the joke at themselves, but it further reinforces the idea fat bodies are not acceptable.
Poor Facilities For Fat People
It’s a sad indictment on the world that I truly believe many bars, restaurants, workplaces, etc., only have adequate disabled facilities because the law requires them to. Many of them do the bare minimum required and so are still a long way from disabled-friendly.
That being the case, do you really think places give a crap about making their seats, or tables, or showers or anything else comfortable for patrons in large bodies? Nope! Life is a constant balancing act between wanting to go to a restaurant or cinema or the hairdresser or the gym or on a plane and the worry that the seatbelt won’t fit or they won’t fit in the chair at all or may have to squeeze in and feel uncomfortable.
You should not have to have painful bruises on your thighs, hips and back to do the same things that people in smaller bodies do. Nor should you have to put up with other patrons rolling their eyes, sighing and looking sideways at you for taking up too much space. Making larger chairs and larger seatbelts and alternatives to booths should not be groundbreaking!
Medical Fatphobia
Do a quick google search for medical fatphobia, and you’ll find hundreds, maybe thousands of examples.
People who are afraid to go to doctors for genuine medical problems because the doctor always brings the conversation back to their weight.
Clinicians who took an oath to do no harm making disgustingly fatphobic comments to patients in hospital!
A huge number of missed diagnoses because doctors put the person’s problems down to their weight and did not run the tests they would have if the person was thin. Some of these actually led to the person’s death!
Sizing In Clothes Shops
The average size of a woman in the UK is 16. Do you think this is reflected in shops, though? Nope! Most do now carry this size, but as there is no standard sizing, a size 16 in one shop can be the equivalent of a size 12 in another.
If you’re larger than this, then forget about it! A large number of shops won’t carry your size at all. The ones that do usually have a special section with euphemisms like “Inspire” and “Curves”. It’s like they want to make sure you realise you’re different and unacceptable while superficially appearing to you.
Larger sizes can also cost substantially more, even though they will not cost that much more to make. It’s a fat tax, pure and simple.
What Fatphobia Means Is That The World Is Actively Opposed To Fat People
It breaks my heart to say that, but it’s true. I am fat. I have been since I was 12, and I genuinely believe that if there was a safe and reliable way to lose weight, my body would still be larger than most. I’m tall, and I have a large frame. I am not meant to be thin.
I internalised all the hatred directed at my body and spent so many decades being unhappy and feeling utterly shit about myself. I believe if I hadn’t discovered body liberation that I would still feel that way. I would’ve wasted my life and stolen all my joy trying to shrink my body to a size it was never meant to be.
Virtually all fat people have internalised their fatphobia, and it takes serious time and effort to unpack it all and remove it from your life. I’m mostly there, but I still slip occasionally.
What fatphobia means is that society is happy with making the lives of a huge percentage of the population a misery. It’s not good enough, is it?
Please let me know in the comments what fatphobia means to you and also how you can be an ally to fat people in your life.
