Body positivity has only marginally expanded the range of which bodies are celebrated
The body positivity movement has slightly widened the range of bodies that are celebrated to include ‘curvy’ bodies, but other features are not celebrated and shaming still exists. A new ideal has emerged which is different but just as harmful as the old one.
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The Argument
The body positivity movement may have given excluded bodies greater visibility, but it has not produced a shift in general attitudes towards size. People generally still see being thin as ideal - Adele was recently praised for her weight loss, suggesting that her previous size had been a problem.[1]
Rather than living up to the body positivity movement, mainstream culture now celebrates ‘acceptably fat’ and ‘curvy’ figures that have small waists and wide hips.[1] At the same time, plastic surgery has been normalised and a new ideal body shape has emerged in the image of Kim Kardashian. [2]
The new body ideal might embrace curvy bodies with a role or two, but scars, acne and body hair are still excluded from mainstream visibility.[3] Rather than achieving inclusion and celebration for all bodies, only curves in the right places are embraced. The body positivity movement has fallen short of its aim to celebrate all bodies.
Counter arguments
The body positivity movement has made great progress and continues to do so. Cultural change is always a gradual process and will take time, but this does not mean the movement has been a failure.