Fat feminism or fat-positive feminism is a form of feminism that argues overweight women are economically, educationally, and socially disadvantaged due to their size. Because of this, fat-positive feminists promote acceptance for women of all sizes and oppose any form of size discrimination. Fat feminism originated during second-wave feminism, and did not meet mainstream acceptance until recently. While very closely affiliated with the fat acceptance movement, fat feminists focus on women who are discriminated against because of their size. Opponent believe that the problems perceived by members of the movement could be "cured" by a reduced caloric intake. Feminists redirects here. ... Second-wave feminism refers to a period of feminist activity which began during the early 1960s and lasted through the late 1980s. ... The fat acceptance movement, also the fat liberation movement, is a grassroots effort to change societal attitudes towards individuals who are fat. ...

Views

According to Monica Persson, over 56 percent of obese or overweight women have answered that they have been treated disrespectfully by their physicians, and 46 percent view their physicians as uncomfortable with the women's weight.^[1]

Fat feminists argue that the likelihood of women to experience discrimination increases proportionally with body size; women who are naturally larger than the norm would be forced into a chicken or egg cycle of poverty and social discrimination.

Also argued is that size discrimination is associated with, and is similar to racism, sexism, and ageism. This view has been rejected by many other minority groups. Biologically, females tend to have more body fat than men, leading to the view that size discrimination affects women more so than men. Size discrimination is associated with racism, as some suggest that size is affected by race. The ageist argument stems from the view that women gain weight naturally with age, especially after childbirth.

Body image

Fat feminists oppose the concept of a fixed "ideal" figure for women imposed by the society. They scorn fat jokes on sitcoms, and the promotion of skinny figures seen on television, in Hollywood and on catwalks. A supermodel weighs 23 percent less than an average woman, and less than 5 percent of the female population have figures like her.^[2] Fat feminists criticize these body-type ideals for the reason that for many real-life women, these figures are impossible to achieve, pointing to the statistics that 95 percent of diets fail. They believe this would put women at risk for distorted body image, anorexia, bulimia, or other eating disorders, which can lead to death, especially among the young. ... Model on the catwalk during Spring 2007 Fashion Week, New York City. ... Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen. ... Body image is a persons perception of his or her own physical appearance. ... For the symphonic black metal band, see Anorexia Nervosa (band) For other uses, see Anorexia Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes an eating disorder characterized by low body weight and body image distortion with an obsessive fear of gaining weight. ... Bulimia nervosa, more commonly known as bulimia, is a psychological condition in which the subject engages in recurrent binge eating followed by intentionally doing one or more of the following in order to compensate for the intake of the food and prevent weight gain: vomiting inappropriate use of laxatives, enemas...

Fitness

Fat feminists contest the belief that one cannot be overweight and fit at the same time. Instead, they believe that the figure one would naturally have through consistent exercising, balanced nutrition, and maintaining an active lifestyle is a person's ideal figure, which is not limited to one size.^[3][4]

History

Early years

Fat feminism and the related fat acceptance movement originated in the late 1960s during which second-wave feminism took place. During the late 60s and 1970s, activists such as Sara Fishman, Judy Freespirit, and Karen Jones, now known as Karen Stimson, emerged. In 1973, Fishman and Freespirit released Fat Liberation Manifesto in which they opposed size discrimination as sexism. Their movement was met with mixed reactions during the 1960s, the same decade when Twiggy-esque figures became fashionable. Some of the feminists, such as Gloria Steinem and Jane Fonda active during the decade believed that removing traits of "femaleness" was necessary to gain entrance to a male-dominated society.^[5] Activists continued to hold demonstrations and continued their course of action. When the fat feminists did not get support from National Organization for Women, they founded organizations to advocate size acceptance, such as NAAFA, Fat Underground, and The Body Positive. The fat acceptance movement, also the fat liberation movement, is a grassroots effort to change societal attitudes towards individuals who are fat. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... Second-wave feminism refers to a period of feminist activity which began during the early 1960s and lasted through the late 1980s. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Twiggy (born 19 September 1949) is an English supermodel, actress, and singer, now also known by her married name of Twiggy Lawson. ... Gloria Steinem at news conference, Womens Action Alliance, January 12, 1972 Gloria Marie Steinem (born March 25, 1934) is an American feminist icon, journalist and womens rights advocate. ... Jane Fonda (born December 21, 1937) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. ... The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an American feminist group, founded in 1966, with 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. ... The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, or NAAFA, was founded in 1969 by William Fabrey in New York. ...

1980s-2000

During the 80s, the movement had mixed success. More organizations and publications against size discrimination were founded. The first issue of Radiance: The Magazine for Large Women was published in 1984. Clothing brands and fashion magazines were founded during this time that targeted a plus-size audience. More books on size acceptance such as Fat?So! and You Don't Have to Apologize for Your Size were released. Fat feminists continued to sue diet programs for fraudulent claims. However, its popularity did not wane as it was boosted by the fitness boom during the 1980s. Americans continue to spend over $33 billion on diet products and programs.^[6] Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ...

In the 1990s, fat feminism was officially supported by National Organization for Women when the organization adopted an anti-size discrimination stance with no dissenting vote, and started a body image task force. In 1992, Mary Evans Young, a fat activist in England, launched No Diet Day, which was planned as a picnic. Due to the rain, her plan failed, although 25 states participated in its second annual celebration. The National Organization for Women (NOW) is an American feminist group, founded in 1966, with 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem specific to England — the United Kingdom anthem is God Save the Queen. ...

In 1993, the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of Toni Cassista who filed a lawsuit against Community Foods, a store in Santa Cruz, California when she was not hired because of her size. This put an end to work discrimination based on weight in the state of California. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... The Supreme Court of California is the state supreme court in California. ... |latitude = 36°5819 N |longitude = 122°135 W For other uses, see Santa Cruz. ...

See also

• Body image
• Fat acceptance movement
• Physical attractiveness
• Physical fitness
• Pro-ana
• Obesity
• Self-image

Body image is a persons perception of his or her own physical appearance. ... The fat acceptance movement, also the fat liberation movement, is a grassroots effort to change societal attitudes towards individuals who are fat. ... Features such as a symmetrical face, full lips, and low waist-hip ratio, are commonly considered physically attractive because they are thought to indicate physical health and high fertility to a potential mate. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The term Pro-ana is a conjunction of the root pro, which means in favor of, and a shortened form of the term anorexia, and refers to a group or subculture that promotes or supports anorexia as a lifestyle choice rather than an eating disorder. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Self-concept. ...

References

External links

• UK size acceptance site
• Fat Feminist Herstory, 1969-1993: A Personal Memoir by Karen W. Stimson
• Fat and Feminist Large Women's Health Experiences
• The Web of Size Acceptance: Internet Resources for Exploring a Feminist Issue
• Fat Feminism: Politics and Perspective
• Love Your Body
• Recent Lawsuits about Fat Discrimination