"We should not tell girls it's ok to be chunky"

[ninwa]

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/we-should-not-tell-girls-its-ok-to-be-chunky-20091031-hq71.html

In calling for bigger, shapelier models to grace magazine pages and the fashion catwalks, we run a risk of feeding Australia's fat frenzy. The worst thing the Australia media could do right now is send a loud message to girls and women suggesting it's ok to be big and chunky – that it's normal and culturally acceptable.

What do you think?

Interesting comment against this article:

   Wow.

    Like, Wow.

    I don't suppose it's occurred to anyone that having "freakish", skeletal models as society's ONLY reference point to its enforced ideal of beauty is a CAUSE of the obesity crisis, as millions of women know they will NEVER, EVER looks like that, so they don't bother trying.

    And since when have women ONLY been skeletal OR fat with nothing in between. What is WRONG with having models who are size 12? NOT size 2 and NOT size 22, but size 12! Your writing would indicate that you don't recognise that fact that many millions of women are average, in-between and not an extreme weight.

    Now, can we have this conversation about men? No? Males models aren't skeletons? Men are MEANT to have some meat on them? Lucky them! They get to live without guilt and shame and without being hounded by the media and society in general.

    Men still have all the advantages, don't they?

[cns1511]

I tend agree with the comment by Kim. Models can have a healthy weight. They don't need to be beyond thin and they definitely don't need to be obese. "Average" sized women would be ideal in my opinion.

[kendraaaaa]

Yeah, what's wrong with compromise? :/

[Collin Li]

Whatever the media want to do. If it doesn't sell, they won't use it.

This issue doesn't affect me since I live on a low-information diet of barely any mainstream media.

[Eriny]

It's interesting that models are size 6 and under, whilst plus size models are over size 14-16. I'm size 10-12, and this thread made me realise that nobody really represents my size at all. I don't think any size is unrealistic per se, but some moderation wouldn't be terrible.

Also, some male models are sticks. Apparently it's this new 'geek chic' thing.

[Collin Li]

It's interesting that models are size 6 and under, whilst plus size models are over size 14-16. I'm size 10-12, and this thread made me realise that nobody really represents my size at all. I don't think any size is unrealistic per se, but some moderation wouldn't be terrible.

Exploit the niche

[ninwa]

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,28383,26320670-5007192,00.html