MovieChat Forums > Bridget Fonda Discussion > Why Has Fat Enabling Become Such A Socia...

Why Has Fat Enabling Become Such A Socially Acceptable Construct?

posted a year ago by FootOfDavros (8465)
66 replies | jump to latest

It's interesting to read some of the comments on here re Bridget's massive weight gain and a number of people feeling the requirement to virtue signal that they wouldn't "fat shame".

But how did we arrive at this juncture, i.e. at this point at which fat enabling seems more socially acceptable than shaming?

Is it simply an unavoidable consequence of capitalism?

i.e. So many companies can make huge profits from people shoveling heaps of cheap, garbage food into their mouths that there necessarily had to be a counter to people describing obese bodies as unhealthy and "grotesque". By this counter being pushed (and with people, the sjw types, thinking they're just signalling / being seen as being positive snowballing the effect) it allows the junk food industry to continue feasting on their profits...

Who else gains? Maybe the healthcare industry also stands to gain very nicely out of this narrative being pushed. Obesity leads to various clinical conditions requiring very expensive treatments.

So, is it really just a free continuation of today's society that we've reached this point of proud, righteous fat enabling or has it cleverly been pushed by those who stand to gain from this weighty issue?

[–] Chomsky89 (408) a year ago

I think it's a bit difficult to discuss enabling vs fat shaming because there's such a different idea of where the line goes from a healthy concern to shaming.
Even if I say " Bill, you've really gained a lot of weight, this is not good for your knees, life quality, and your life expectancy. I suspect a substantial minority(15-30%) would say this is fat shaming. And then you also have people who think fat shaming is only " You're a fucking overweight looser, I hope I'm never seated next to you on a plane"

With that said, I think one reason why we see so much fat enabling, is because it's so easy to sell it in a country where 40-50% have this problem. There aren't really many other personal demons that are as common. And this is a personal problem that you can't really hide.

[–] FootOfDavros (8465) a year ago

... it's so easy to sell it in a country where 40-50% have this problem.

I think that's definitely the case. I guess my question is who's doing the selling? Ourselves or do the industries that benefit from it push it? If it's the later, then that percentage will only ever rise and the future of mankind predicted in Wall-E will come to pass...

The funny thing about your second statement is that even if you took the negative cursing language out of it and just reduced it to "You're overweight. I hope I'm never seated next to you on a plane", that in itself would still be deemed as offensive fat shaming. Even although, in that form, it's simply a factual statement.

[–] LoveCatsHateDogs (1996) a year ago

Unhealthy food being readily available doesn't absolve people. Willpower is still a thing. When you see yourself getting fat and you do nothing about it, that is on you. You don't blame Gillette for people cutting their wrists in the bath.

Western society being comprised of a bunch of coddled weaklings (including the obese and the spineless virtue signalling enablers of that) is what is to blame.

[–] FootOfDavros (8465) a year ago

Unhealthy food being readily available doesn't absolve people. Willpower is still a thing. When you see yourself getting fat and you do nothing about it, that is on you.

I'd agree with that to an extent but I think what's happening now is that fat enabling is absolving people. It's not "on you" any more, it's on those dinosaurs in society who look at an obese person and can't see their "inner beauty"...

But who's absolving us of that? Ourselves (as a society, looking to be "better") or is it being pushed because it's profitable and suits us all anyway...

[–] Ace_Spade (9616) a year ago

I think most of it is actually just an overcorrection to counteract a culture of diet pills and making fun of people just for being fat. In other words, it started as a good thing and just accelerated to the point of being pro-obesity. It's fuelled by people who like being in a perpetual state of righteous indignation, too.

[–] FootOfDavros (8465) a year ago

Good call - "Overcorrection" is very much a term I'd associate with today's social media fuelled culture.

I think the same logic you've explained here, in terms of obesity, applies to other social areas as well - be that race, sexuality, etc.

When I was (even) younger, I think society strived for equality, treating everyone the same. But now, in this same overcorrection manner, equality doesn't cut it. You literally have to favour whatever "marginalized" group (rather than just treating them the same as everyone else) otherwise you're not doing enough.

The problem is that that rubs certain people up the wrong way and is actually counterproductive. If it was just yesterday's generations I guess that would be okay - but I see youths starting to get annoyed by this required adherence, which is going to cause problems in future. Probably an overcorrection / swing back the other way.

[–] Ace_Spade (9616) a year ago

I agree entirely. I think it's unbelievably important to keep in mind the good impulses and the "pendulum problem" while dealing with this stuff. The answer to overenthusiastic "equity" initiatives cannot be a return to more racist attitudes. Which, unfortunately, we can see happening. So, I agree with you there, too: this is all going to cause more problems in the future unless we all stop overcorrecting.

[–] MichaelJPollock (784) a year ago

"The problem is that...."
***
Oh, there's not just one "the problem". There are many. One of them is politics inviting itself in every single aspect of early 21st life. The name of this site is MOVIEchat.org, not POLITICSchat.org. And yet, the vast majority of posts seem to be about either politics or box-office considerations. Precious little cinema is discussed around here anymore (if there ever was).

[–] Popcorngal (4883) a year ago

I feel the same way about people glorifying desperate people living in their cars and tents, instead of championing real estate companies and investors who support rental control and affordable housing

[–] liscarkat (19031) a year ago

Homelessness is mainly a problem of mental illness and drug use. It's not a real estate issue.

[–] Popcorngal (4883) a year ago

It is when there is lack of affordable housing. Even if a person is on drugs or suffering from mental illness, I never understood why they prefer living in the streets. I am not a mental health counselor, therefore I cannot judge but it is sad. Fearing eviction takes a toll on a person as well.

[–] roreyking (628) a year ago

To paraphrase Eleanor Roosevelt: No one can make you feel "shamed" without your consent.

[–] Popcorngal (4883) a year ago

So true.

[–] Kowalski (77079) a year ago

TO PARAPHRASE THE PARENTAL FIGURES WHO YOU IGNORED...IF YOU DONT HAVE SOMETHING NICE TO SAY.KEEP YOUR MOUTH CLOSED.

[–] [deleted] a year ago

Because it's easier to be lazy than it is to take responsibility for yourself.

[–] Pete314 (3123) a year ago

This. We know that a lot of discipline is required - especially after a certain age - to keep our bodies healthy and in shape. The lack of this discipline is nothing to be proud of.

[–] xanthas (3215) a year ago

I'm sure she didn't try to be obese. Middle age and menopause will definitely put a few extra pounds on a woman. I guess with Bridget, it happened gradually.

[–] [email protected] (6082) a year ago

xanthas- But there IS a a difference between adding a few pounds in middle age or menopause and the grotesque size of some very young people.

My sister was always skinny no matter what she ate. After menopause hit her, she has been complaining, "I got FAT!"

She isn't really. But she has gained a few pounds. Strangely enough, I didn't have any weight gain. The hot flashes were torture enough!

I would never comment on a person's weight or any other aspect of their appearance. It's always been rude and tactless. But today they invent terms for everything. Now it's "fat shaming."
.
And believe me, it's hard to keep my mouth shut sometimes! I work in an Italian restaurant. Some days I hostess which entails seating people and taking their drink orders. If really obese customers come in, I try to tactfully suggest a table instead of a booth while thinking, "...because there's no way you're going to squeeze all that lard into a booth and still be able to exhale."
I have a mean mind! When really obese women ( like 5'2" and 250 pounds or more) order a DIET soda with their pizza, I always want to make a smart comment like, "It's a little like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic at this point.|"

Sometimes when people stroll in, I will think, "Please order a salad!"

[–] Popcorngal (4883) a year ago

Maybe she does not care.

[–] ebhaynz (3732) a year ago

I think it's an effort to NOT pick on those poor morbidly obese people while they are down on the luck.

[–] liscarkat (19031) a year ago

Stuffing your face until you resemble the planet Jupiter is not a matter of bad luck.