"Acceptable Prejudice?" Chapters 6-8

Of these three chapters, I found that chapter 8 had the most interesting points of discussion.  But first, I want to touch on a point that was discussed in chapters 6 & 7.  When reading this book, I put myself and my experiences to the forefront of my mind.  How is what the author is talking about related to me?  Did I experience the same thing these other people are talking about?  Is what they are saying true if I didn't have that same experience?  Obviously, this book isn't just about me.  It is about all fat people and the experiences they have.  This line of thought came from the these three summations: 

"Puhl and Brownell found in 2001 that fewer “obese” employees are hired into high-level positions and fewer “obese” individuals are promoted. College students have ranked “obese” individuals as “having less leadership potential, as less likely to be successful, and as less likely to be employed than normal-weight candidates”

"Healthism can be particularly harmful, producing a nasty cycle—a fat individual gets a lower paying job because of their fat, which leads to poorer healthcare, which may lead to health issues, which can increase fatness."

"Fat people have a triple whammy—feeling low status, being low…and then because of the anti-fat bigotry, having lower income and less prestigious job opportunities."

This has not been the case for me.  I have been successful in college and work regardless of my weight.  Perhaps this is because I came from a middle class family and was told I could be whatever I wanted to be and I believed it.  This allowed me some confidence that helped me and my employers look past my body and helped my skill set and resume to be the true determining factor in my employment.

Question 1: What are your thoughts about lower income people being heavier and how this effects their ability to move up a job ladder?

Chapter 8 then goes into "Negative Messages at Home" and how parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. can mold a child's mind.  Most stories that are told in this section are disheartening, but not uncommon.  While my mother did take me to my first 'diet' clinic when I was in elementary school, I never felt at home that I was less than.  Everyday she told me how beautiful I was and weight wasn't a common topic of conversation at the dinner table.  I felt loved and accepted and that again is probably a main reason I have the confidence that I have.  

I was, however, told I was less than by other outside influences.  My grandfather often had bets ready for me, "If you lose X amount by X date, I will give you $1000 to go on a shopping spree!"  An uncle recently told me, "The whole family hates to see you like this.  Why do you hate yourself so much?"  And of course, there were the other kids at school.  In first grade, my older sister punched a boy for calling me names.  In sixth grade, I was pushed to the ground (and landed flat on my face) by an eighth grade bully who felt I needed to be put into my place.  He didn't even talk to me or know who I was.  He just pushed me down and laughed.  Why?  Because I was inferior and my body made me open for ridicule. 

The other day at the outdoor pool, I overheard a mother talking to another mother about her 7-8 year old daughter.  Both mothers were thin and probably haven't had to deal much with their weight over the years.  The first mother said, "I don't understand why she keeps saying she is hungry!  We had a snack and then lunch and then ice cream and she still wants more!"  To which the other mother replied, "Oh yeah, you have to be careful.  This is when she could get a weight problem.  Maybe she has a thyroid problem."  Honestly, I wanted to scream.  I saw the girl in question and she was a healthy looking thin girl.  Not an ounce of fat on her.  She was obviously hungry all the time because she was going through a growth spurt.  Hearing her mother talk like that must make her self conscious.  At such a young age, she is learning that 'fat' is bad and that she must control her intake even if her body is telling her otherwise.

Question 2: Are people seen as bad parents if they have overweight children?  What is the best way to help young children learn about positive body image?  How do we discuss the outer influences?

Finally, Chapter 8 discussed the media and its influences.  I just want to touch on one particular topic that bothers me and then I will wrap this up.  Weight loss reality shows.  First of all, 'fix it' shows used to be about houses.  How to fix your house up to make it better.  At some point, someone got the great idea to turn the 'fix it' show onto fat people.  Because as we all know, fat people need to be fixed.  Only about 1% of fat people are able to take all of the weight off and keep it off.  I feel like these shows are unhealthy for the general population because they perpetuate the notion that weight can 'easily' be removed and so everyone should be able to do it.  Thus, fat people are just not trying hard enough.  Of the people who do lose weight on these shows, a large percentage of them gain it all back...but they don't show that.  We get to see them happy on a scale, crying, getting money...living happily ever after.  These shows are as damaging to young children the same way that uber-thin, rich models/actors on the cover of magazines are damaging their perceptions of reality.   

Question 3:  What are your thoughts about weight loss reality shows?  Inspiring or damaging?

And I will stop it there.  I'd love to hear your comments.  Thank you, Becky Bee, for your comments on the last post.  I thought you brought up some interesting points that kept me thinking.   For the next post, I will focus on Chapters 9-11.