Body Confidence in a Shun and Shame Society: A Psychology Essay

This essay delves into the critical role of body confidence in human lives, particularly within a society characterized by shunning and shaming. It examines the pervasive issue of body shaming, analyzing its detrimental effects, such as eating disorders, anxiety, and diminished self-esteem. The essay explores relevant theories, including the Self-Discrepancy Theory and objectification theory, to understand how societal standards and practices contribute to a culture of shame. It also highlights the impact of body shaming on both men and women, with a specific focus on the application of feminist theory to empower individuals. The essay further discusses the various manifestations of body shaming, including judgments based on physical appearance, and offers insights into overcoming societal pressures and building self-confidence. It emphasizes the importance of challenging societal norms and embracing self-acceptance to combat the negative consequences of body shaming and promote mental well-being. The essay concludes by advocating for campaigns against body shaming and promoting positive messages of self-love and acceptance.

BODY CONFIDENCE IN
A SHUN AND SHAME
SOCIETY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Body confidence plays crucial role in lives of human because it is the factor which
represents personality of human. The essay will evaluate the influence of Body shaming which
the reason for shun and shame society. Further, the essay will analyse theories and approaches
which helps in deriving concept of Body confidence, Body shaming and shame society.
Moreover, it will identify relationship between shun and body shaping. Thus, the essay will
discover the statistic which will denote the impact and factors of body shaming on physical
appearance people.
MAIN BODY
Body shaming is the most common problem of modern era which is increasing at fast
pace. According to analysis, it has been determined that there are various problems which are
faced by individuals due to body shaming but the most common problem is lack of body
confidence. Like, if person has suffered through the situation of body shaming then that
individual starts facing eating disorders, anxiety and lack of confidence on physical appearance.
This the unethical practice which influences the comfort of person from his or her own body. As
per the analysis, more than 91 percent of humans are not satisfied and comfortable with their
own body due to which the individuals starts dieting in order to save themselves from shun and
body shame (Daye, Webb and Jafari, 2014). There are various individuals in society who do not
prefer going out because of the lack of confidence in own body. As per Body shaming, standard
of society dressing of people around the world is judged on the individual's body shape which is
the most common example of shame society across the globe. Further, as per Self-Discrepancy
Theory, people have the criteria of comparing themselves with the standards set by society and
not according to self. In accordance to the standards of society which vary person to person and
it is the foremost reason behind shun and shaming society. Shun is the situation in which person
is avoided and neglected because of the diversity factor. Further, due to shun, the person suffers
from emotional dis-balance which leads to isolation and eating disorders. In accordance to
theory and body shaming concept, it has been determined that individual's belief of self
confidence, social, spiritual, material etc. gets narrower due to the influence of societal practices
and standards. However, there are various domains of this theory which denotes self reflection
that comprises individual characteristics and traits. Thus, it can be said that eating disorders are
the major factors which determine the body shaming because it is the only habit of human which
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fluctuates with relation to physical structure and appearance. Apparently, Body shaming is the
practice which is conducted across the globe and has led to various social problems and conflicts.
Body shaming is a common activity for both males and females of society but generally it
is practised with females. The society has various body standards for women on whom the
people judge females by their body structure and physical appearance (Ringrose and Harvey,
2015). Therefore, it has become the social problem which is increasing day by day due to which
the women themselves restrict their growth. Thus, to eliminate body shaming, there is feminist
theory which aims at empowering women's in order to make them feel conformable in their own
body. The women empowerment campaign is implemented with the help of feminist theory that
helps in eradicating discrimination and disparity. The theory aims at protecting the interest of
females by making society understand the nature of gender, body etc. There are various
circumstances which are the example of body shaming like, there are situation in which society
calls you fat, ugly etc. These are situation in which person starts losing confidence on their body.
Furthermore, it is a social issue because society forms groups in which the individuals do not
allow people who are not perfect according to their body standards. (Eating Disorders Facts and
Statistics, 2018).
Body image is dynamic and multi dimensional concept which represents individual’s
perception, characteristic, feelings and thoughts about their body. These are the factors which
denote various physical and health characteristic of individual’s (Webb, Fiery and Jafari, 2016).
Therefore, isolating or criticising person on the basis of Body is unethical practice and is termed
as shaming. In accordance, if some is fat or thin is not just because of their dietary routines and it
is the reason why it is termed as body shaming. Body shaming is most unethical practice and is
the reason of shun and shame in society. Apparently, there are various people suffering from
different health problems like, obesity, thyroid (Hyper and Hypo), in which the human body gets
bloated and shrink very quickly. Regardless of health problems, society never stop to set
standards and gossip about the weight problems of individuals due to which 58 percent of girls
who goes through stress and lack of confidence in their own body. For example, if in case a girl
is fat than according to society she is fat because she eats more than her normal diet and
according to them she does not have appropriate body structure. This kind of Body standards of
society humiliates females due to which the individual lack confidence in their own body. Body
shamers are part of society and victims gets trolled for their own identify which is major social.
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Thus, as per these activities there are numerous individuals facing various health problems like,
anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. These activities are termed as unethical and are the
reason behind increasing social conflicts and campaigns like, women empowerment.
The impact of body shaming is seen when people limit themselves from going out,
interact with society Due to increasing impact of body shaming the people lack body confidence,
and forgets their own standard of living. The most common example of body shaming is
represented by judgement of society on the dressing sense of individual. Hence, the best thing to
accept one’s own body and set an example for the body shamers is to dress according to own
comfort level to take care of one’s own health. This needs to avoid the societal beauty standards set
by the people living in the society. The best way to overcome body shaming and societal standards
is to judge individuals in accordance to their as talent and not on the basis of their looks
(Hungerford, 2015). It is also important for the victims of body shaming to enhance their confidence
level to favour what is right as per their own set of views. Also, they need to feel comfortable in
their own body without getting ashamed of the critics and their discouraging perceptions. Avoiding
any sense of justification to prove yourself right is the best step that can lead to reduce the act of
body shaming with a rebuilt self-confidence in the victims. Apparently, there exists a theory of
objectification that aims at developing some improved and understandable societal standards to
rebuild and regain the lost confidence in Women suffering from shun and shame. This theory
intends to develop a sense of confidence in individuals towards their self-appearance by overcoming
the standards set by the society that often leads to reduce their confidence to a great extent.
Although, sexual objectification theory generally takes place when female body parts are being
portrayed by society as per their own set standards of beauty and appreciation (Hall and Oglesby,
2016). The key drivers of objectification theory are known as reduced flow, appearance anxiety,
body shame, anxiety about individual’s physical safety, etc. These are yet again related to
disordered eating, sexual dysfunction and depression in victims suffering from body shaming. Thus,
in accordance to the aforesaid drivers, it becomes clear that, not that the physical appearance of
individuals gets affected but they may together suffer from various health related issues. This also
denotes another negative impact of shun and shaming that leads to increase the anxiety level of
individuals and they get more concerned about their own body appearance. Also, there exists
various real instances of body shaming and shun that directly affect both mental and physical stress
of the victims. This is for instance a friend meeting another friend after a very long time and one of
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them has gained his or her body weight. As a result, to which, another person’s first comment will
be certainly on his or her gained body weight that clearly indicates body shaming (90% of teens
unhappy with body shape, 2018). This is a very common scenario where people are mostly worried
about one other’s appearance and tends to remark upon it. It is usually done with no such realisation
of body shamming where the individuals acting as body shamers do not consider it as an offensive
act. Instead, it is a very general observation done by them that leads to various issues such as lack of
confidence, anxiety, depression and disordered eating etc.
Apart from this, there together exists some other vital examples proving the presence of
body shaming in the society. This involves passing comments on one others choice of dressing, etc.
It is on considering a very general act of remarking on one’s dress by stating that “It does not suit
you because of your thin/fat body.” These type of comments and societal gossips presents some real
examples of Body shaming that directly leads to shun. Body shaming being the most common point
of discussion over here has been seen to make an indirect judgement of individual’s eating habits.
This is for instance, if a boy or a girl is eating beyond his or her age requirement, then the people in
the society are apparent to judge his or her body weight (Ahmad, Waller, and Verduyn, 2014). In
contrary to which, facts have proven that skinny people also suffers from the act of body shaming
where people often neglects the fact associated with it. It is however on considering the facts related
to it where thin people have high metabolism that helps them to quickly where the skinny people
are mostly amongst those who have surplus diet. But their high metabolism power helps them to
quickly digest their food. Although, the society people has clearly seen ignoring this fact and
suggesting the thin people to take extra medication by victimizing them, as a part of their body
shaming act. Such disgraceful comments and social standard of body shaming acts as the foremost
reason behind influencing one’s confidence in terms of their body appearance. Body shaming thus
impacts upon the person in numerous ways where the victims themselves start criticizing their own
looks, body and physical appearance due to the disgraces. This situation generally occurs at time
when the victim starts comparing one own self to others for avoid getting insulted all the time. It is
due to the fact where judging the appearance of others in crowd and remarking on it leads to create a
sense of negativity by together affecting the mental status of the victims. Beside this, criticizing
person on the basis of their choice of getting dressed and the way they look, walk or eat is yet
another example with clear illustration of body shaming. It is however being done with no such
realisation of affecting once mental trauma that leads to impact the thinking ability of the victims
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where they often lose their capability to understand things. It is however referred to be an unethical
practice that is required to be stopped by changing the opinions on one’s own self instead of getting
victimised and following the set standards of society (Goss and Allan, 2010). Nowadays, many
people have started addressing this issue as a concerning agenda with vital steps of campaigning
against it. These social campaigns are spreading positive messages to the youths who are dealing
with such type of issues. This involves messages like ‘No body shaming’, ‘Fat is not a feeling, etc.
This gives a sense of confidence and self-love to victims of body shaming where unlike the earlier
trend of selling clothes, nowadays the retailers are mostly having a special addition of plus size
dresses. It clearly depicts a sense of hope in the elimination of such disgraceful act of body shaming.
According to a survey of 2000 girls, it has been found that there exists almost 87% of girls who are
not happy with their body appearance. It has also led to some interesting facts about teenagers who
often stop eating and starts fasting to avoid being a victim of body shaming, consuming weight
reduction pills and opting plastic surgery are also such some alternative measures undertaken by
youths (90% of teens unhappy with body shape, 2018). However, such type of habit in youngsters
often leads to create some severe health related issues that often converts into serious complication
in future. Body shaming by the society also leads to create a sense of insecurity, anxiety, criticism in
the victims that in turn force them to cope up with strict dietary changes making negative impact on
their lifestyle. According to Study: 94% of teenage girls have been body shamed, 2017, it has been
found that an approximate proportion of 94% of teenage girls and 64% teenage boys are dealing
with lack of self-confidence from body shaming. They apparently avoid meeting with friends and
attending family functions to avoid getting criticised for their body appearance (Troop, Allan and
Treasure, 2018). Although, there together exists certain effective ways in which one can stop being
a part of body shaming. This involves appreciating one’s own talent rather classifying own self on
the basis of appearance. It will tend to build a sense of confidence in the individual with a prime
responsibility of openly radiating it among all.
The big bang theory of Mayim is on body shaming due to which individuals suffer from
anxiety. The effectiveness of theory is its therapy which helps in boosting confidence and self-
love. With the help of this theory, the actress Mayim stood for the body shaming and for raising
voice. This theory is based on girling up concept in which she stated that being strong and
standing for the right is the only choice which can helps person in developing self-love. The aim
of big bang theory is to enhance confidence for own physical appearance. In accordance to
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theory, comparison the key driver of body shaming because it leads to criticising own
appearance. Hence, generally growing girls faces body shaming from society and societal
groups. Due to this practice girls either isolates them from society or suffers from health
problems like, eating disorders overeating and dieting.
Furthermore, Eating disorders of person demonstrate body shaming, because attitude of
majority people relates weight and food. As per, Eating Disorders Facts and Statistics, 2018, 30
million people suffer from eating disorder as it directly proportional to body shaming. In
addition, 30 to 50 percent of people suffer from depression and anxiety and almost 89 percent of
girls start dieting from age 17, because of societal standards of body shaming (Eating Disorders
Facts and Statistics, 2018). According to Eating Disorders Facts and Statistics, 2018, there are
15 % of young women who suffer from eating disorder and to overcome shun and shame society
people starts dieting without concerning to specialist advisor. Changing dietary routines and
eating habits because of body shaming is the reason behind increasing health problems in young
generations. Societal standards of physical appearance of human body are the major cause of
eating disorders and increasing health problems. According to Study: 94% of teenage girls have
been body shamed, 2017, 81 % of 10 year old children are afraid of getting fat due to which the
individual avoids eating food as per normal diet. 9 % of nine year kids vomit just after eating
food to lose weight. These all basic activities of adults and minors helps in analysing the effects
of Body shaping on young generation. These all are health disorders which people goes off to
reduce weight to make their physical appearance as per the body standards of society. Self-
objectification, big bang theory and women empowerment are the theories which help the person
in boosting confidence and developing sense of self love. These theories assist the person in
dealing with and shame society. In contrast, the people who suffer through body shaming deal
with various situations like, trauma, family problems, fear of failure, teasing and bullying,
depression, anxiety etc. Hence, implementing theories of self-love and developing confidence is
the technique which assist the individual in boosting confidence for own appearance.
CONCLUSION
The report summarized about the body confidence, body shaming and shun of
individuals. It has been analysed from the report that 91% of the total population is not satisfied
with their body types. Also, because of this, a huge amount of people is focusing upon
minimizing or making some changes in their diet so that they do not have to face any sort of
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body shaming. Although there are various theories that helps in providing an evaluation of the
body types, impact of different types on people, impact on the confidence level of the person etc.
Along with this, it also includes the cases of people who had become victims because of their
body shaming. However, it can be analysed that shun is unavoidable from the people. Big bang
theory can act quite helpful in implementing various therapies that can help in enhancing and
encouraging the confidence level of the people about their own body and structure.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.acad.ro/sectii2002/proceedingsChemistry/doc2015-1/Art04Neagu.pdf
https://thebodyimagecenter.com/education-awareness/eating-disorder-statistics/
http://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/Users/lvartanian/Publications/Vartanian
%20%282012%29%20SDT%20chapter.pdf
https://storify.com/mayasurany1/the-feminist-theory-on-body-shaming
https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/weight-loss/shun-body-shame-for-positive-body-
image.html
https://www.apa.org/education/ce/sexual-objectification.pdf
https://www.waldeneatingdisorders.com/body-shaming-what-is-it-why-do-we-do-it/
https://everydayfeminism.com/2014/10/skinny-shaming-not-reverse-discrimination/
https://www.about-face.org/georgias-strong4life-campaign-relies-heavily-on-fat-shaming/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/29/fat-shaming-actually-makes-peoples-health-worse-
study-pennsylvania/
http://www.womenshealthmag.co.uk/health/symptom-checker/5242/dove-survey-british-women-
body-confidence/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-205285/90-teens-unhappy-body-shape.html
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Daye, C.A., Webb, J.B. and Jafari, N., 2014. Exploring self-compassion as a refuge against
recalling the body-related shaming of caregiver eating messages on dimensions of
objectified body consciousness in college women. Body Image. 11(4). pp.547-556.
Ringrose, J. and Harvey, L., 2015. Boobs, back-off, six packs and bits: Mediated body parts,
gendered reward, and sexual shame in teens' sexting images. Continuum. 29(2). pp.205-
217.
Webb, J.B., Fiery, M.F. and Jafari, N., 2016. “You better not leave me shaming!”: Conditional
indirect effect analyses of anti-fat attitudes, body shame, and fat talk as a function of
self-compassion in college women. Body image. 18. pp.5-13.
Hungerford, K., 2015. FEMEN's grotesque transformations of female body shame. Women's
Studies in Communication. 38(4). pp.361-366.
Hall, R.L. and Oglesby, C.A., 2016. Stepping through the looking glass: The future for women in
sport. Sex Roles. 74(7-8). pp.271-274.
Ahmad, S., Waller, G. and Verduyn, C., 2014. Eating attitudes among Asian schoolgirls: The
role of perceived parental control. International Journal of Eating Disorders. 15(1).
pp.91-97.
Goss, K. and Allan, S., 2010. Compassion focused therapy for eating disorders. International
Journal of Cognitive Therapy. 3(2). pp.141-158.
Troop, N.A., Allan, S. and Treasure, J.L., 2018. Shame in women with a history of eating
disorders. European Eating Disorders Review. 16(6). pp.480-488.
Online
90% of teens unhappy with body shape. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-205285/90-teens-unhappy-body-shape.html>.
Dervish-O'Kane R. 2016. Only 20% of British women are confident in their bodies - true or
false? [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.womenshealthmag.co.uk/health/symptom-checker/5242/dove-survey-
british-women-body-confidence/>.
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Eating Disorders Facts and Statistics. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://thebodyimagecenter.com/education-awareness/eating-disorder-statistics/>.
Study: 94% of teenage girls have been body shamed. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.wcnc.com/article/news/features/study-94-of-teenage-girls-have-been-
body-shamed/436143277>.
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