Sociology professor explains the term 'fatphobia,' discusses the implications for society

Sociology professor explains the term
'fatphobia,' discusses the implications for
society

March 16 2023, by Emily Chan

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In a society that is chronically online, the term "fatphobic" is often used
to describe certain public figures, pieces of media and industries. One

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example is Taylor Swift's video for "Anti-Hero." Another is a movie
titled "The Whale," which opened late last fall to wide critical acclaim
and details the struggles of an obese man played by Brendan Fraser, who
was recognized with the Oscar for Best Actor— his first—during
Sunday night's ceremony.

But what does the term mean? Through the analysis of these two pieces
of media, Texas A&M University sociology professor Joan Wolf
dissects fatphobia, its societal impacts and the best ways to reverse the
harmful stigma that surrounds body weight.

"There's almost a universal agreement that fat is bad," said Wolf, an
associate professor in the Department of Sociology. "We have a whole
health industry that is set up around making people thinner. We have a
self-help industry with scientists and doctors who are devoted to the
message that everybody should lose weight. Because we think it's all
under our control, we judge people who are fat, and we think that they
are lazy—that their character is somehow represented by the fact that
they carry more body weight."

Shortly after its December release, "The Whale" director Darren
Aronofsky found himself in the middle of controversy, with many saying
that the film misrepresented the real struggles of obese people. Adding
to the criticism was the fact that Fraser wore prosthetics to achieve his
character's look, when Aronofsky could have chosen an obese actor.

When asked about why "The Whale" received such backlash, Wolf
referenced the role that the media often plays in pushing a fatphobic
agenda and especially the huge issue that exists with the lack of body
diversity in all forms of media.

"The media, broadly speaking, distorts our understanding of what is in
fact a more common, a more normal body," Wolf said. "Which is one

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where people often carry fat in their middle. They have generous thighs
and butts. When we do see fat people, we are supposed to judge that fat,
to assume that being fat dominates their life. We need to see more fat
people who are doing just fine."

However, the issue of whether something is fatphobic can sometimes be
a complicated issue. In the video for "Anti-Hero," Swift steps onto a
scale, only to look down and see only the word "fat" in big letters. This
scene was described by some as an artistic way of showcasing Swift's
struggles with her body image, but also interpreted by others as being
fatphobic because of the negative connotation associated with the
particular word. Fat "Swifties" felt as if they were being judged by this
scene and thought that her efforts to be inclusive failed due to her own
lack of experience living in a bigger body.

"It's reasonable to ask whether Taylor is the right person to be leading
the charge against fat shaming," Wolf said. "She's well intentioned, but
she's also a little tone deaf on the politics of representation."

It is also common to wonder if and when it is acceptable to use the word
"fat," especially since the current connotation around it is negative.

"Many have advocated using the word 'fat' to destigmatize the word,"
Wolf said. "Some people are fat; some are thin. What we need to do is
stop pathologizing and discriminating against people who are fat. I use it
in that sense. But if I were with people who find it offensive, I absolutely
would not use it. In other words, if you hope to destigmatize the word, be
clear of your intentions. And if the word is hurtful to someone, just
avoid it."

When asked about the best way to reverse the stigma that exists around
being fat, Wolf said that changes first need to be made regarding the
way that scientific findings are being communicated to the public.

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"We have scientists telling us that being overweight causes multiple
                                   health problems," Wolf said. "The extent to which fatness is causal or a
                                   symptom of underlying problems in which fatness is one indicator has
                                   yet to be determined. Scientists need to do a better job of conveying that
                                   uncertainty."

                                   Wolf said consciously focusing on treating others with basic human
                                   respect and empathy wouldn't hurt, either.

                                   "At this point I think the best thing we can do is say, 'Treat everyone like
                                   a human being,'" Wolf said. "We shouldn't be treating someone
                                   differently because of how much weight they carry."

                                   Provided by Texas A&M University

                                   Citation: Sociology professor explains the term 'fatphobia,' discusses the implications for society
                                   (2023, March 16) retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2023-03-sociology-
                                   professor-term-fatphobia-discusses.html

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