#BODYPOSITIVTY has been one of the most influential movements to have taken social media by storm in recent years. Body positivity, in layman’s terms, is nothing but self-love. It is an outlook that involves accepting, acknowledging, validating, and respecting individuals for who they are regardless of the ideal standards society and popular culture have concerning shape, size, and appearance. As of late ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and disability have been roped into this movement as well, and this shift has made this movement more inclusive on multiple levels. A positive body image increases confidence and improves mental health, thereby keeping problems like eating disorders, body dysmorphia, body image disturbance, and depression at bay.
Since the movement surged in popularity, multiple campaigns and projects have been launched to promote body positivity. Some popular projects include “The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty”, “Zivame: Fit for All”, and “Allen Solly: Own your Shape”. Dove’s campaign sheds light on the fact that only 2% of women consider themselves beautiful. The campaign aims to make women feel comfortable with their skin and create a world where beauty is a source of confidence. Both the Zivame and Allen Solly advertisements are also perfect tributes to body positivity. It makes viewers understand that clothes are supposed to fit you and not vice versa.
Television and social media are widely influential platforms. By being diverse and size-inclusive, young women, and even young men, can relate to a person on-screen and realize that nothing is wrong with them, thus escaping the vicious cycle of self-hate.
It is interesting to note that body positivity dates back to the 1960s, during which it was called the Fat Acceptance Movement. Before the era of body positivity, obese people were either ridiculed or seen as objects of pity. They were substantially discriminated against and often unemployed as they were considered detrimental to society. This fact greatly disturbed people, and thus a conference was held at New York's Central Park against fatphobia, thereby giving birth to what is known as body positivity today! Even though more than half a century has passed, body positivity is still a term that has not burned out. It adapts according to the decade and makes more people smile brighter and groove a little harder!
Just as any movement, body positivity comes with its problems and critiques. One of the biggest questions raised was if body positivity is promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. Another concern is that body positivity is a trend that makes people's appearance the crux of their self-perception, thus making beauty only skin deep. These criticisms have made people lean towards a new concept called body neutrality, which promotes gratitude and gratefulness instead of self-love.
Ultimately, regardless of the movement and whatever it is called, every individual deserves to have a positive image of their body. This unattainable and unrealistic standard of beauty must be completely uprooted from societal norms. No shame or guilt must be associated with the way one looks. The goal is to achieve acceptance, respect, and representation regardless of what you look like. People should work on their looks because they love their body and not because they hate it. Let us start by approving of ourselves and being kind to one another. No deprecating glares and no snide remarks; just pure adoration for who we are!
