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Post Info TOPIC: Is Facebook fat-shaming young women?


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Is Facebook fat-shaming young women?
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2978694/Is-Facebook-fat-shaming-young-women-Campaign-against-social-media-site-s-feel-fat-emoticons-attracts-tens-thousands-supporters-week.html

Campaign against social media site's 'I feel fat' emoticons attracts tens of thousands of supporters in less than a week

 

  • Australian Rebecca Guzelian launched the 'Fat is not a feeling' campaign
  • She has joined seven other women to partner with Endangered Bodies 
  • The women are asking Facebook to remove the 'fat' and 'ugly' emoticons
  • The movement claims that they normalise body shaming in young people
  • The online petition has garnered over 10,000 signatures in a week

 

A young Australian woman is spearheading a global campaign petitioning Facebook to remove 'body shaming' emoticons and status options from the social media site.

Rebecca Guzelian, along with seven other women around the world, has partnered with Endangered Bodies, an international movement challenging body image standards, to launch a campaign to remove the ‘I feel fat’ and ‘I feel ugly’ emoticons from the social media site.

Ms Guzelian, a counsellor and intern psychologist, is one of over ten thousand people to back the 'Fat is not a feeling' petition, and claims that the options perpetuate and normalise body shaming, especially in young people.

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Rebecca Guzelian has partnered with Endangered Bodies in the 'Fat is not a feeling' campaign

Rebecca Guzelian has partnered with Endangered Bodies in the 'Fat is not a feeling' campaign

Ms Guzelian launched the Australian 'Fat is not a feeling' petition and shared her personal experiences

Ms Guzelian launched the Australian 'Fat is not a feeling' petition and shared her personal experiences

'When I first heard that the 'fat' and 'ugly' feelings options were made available for people to select on Facebook, I was shocked and definitely felt compelled to work alongside Endangered Bodies to do something about it,' Ms Guzelian told Daily Mail Australia.  

Endangered Bodies has been petitioning Facebook to remove the options from their site, and has partnered with the women to start national petitions to remove the options from all forms of the website.

Women from the UK, Ireland, the US, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia have partnered together to post their personal stories and experience with body shaming to promote the campaign, which has garnered thousands of signatures in just a few days.



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To answer the question: YES!

flan

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I'd like to see this "I feel fat" emoticon. My BFF & I and her oldest son have always made "I'm so fat....." statements for years. Like, "I was wearing a backpack and people thought the Titanic was rescued" or "I was wearing brown and someone said there goes the UPS truck", etc.

I don't see how silly emoticons are "fat shaming". And who are they to "ban" use of them? Freedom of Speech? I resent someone taking away my right to that.

Bullies are going to bully and they have done so years before computers were invented, even without the use of emoticons.

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On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

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This is stupid.

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If a friend is fat shaming you with an emoticon it's easy enough to unfriend them. Why ban it for everyone because some else feelings are hurt by a stupid little drawing...lol

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I don't care if it's a "little thing." Eating disorders are rampant.

flan

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flan327 wrote:

I don't care if it's a "little thing." Eating disorders are rampant.

flan


 Good grief, so now the speech police are in charge of how people feel b/c it might bother others.  There are days I feel fat - whether anyone else thinks that's a "feeling" or not.  They have no right to tell me my feeling is not real. 



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There's also an "I feel ugly" emoticon.

flan

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flan327 wrote:

I don't care if it's a "little thing." Eating disorders are rampant.

flan


 Eating disorders have been around way before emoticons.  Remember Karen Carpenter.  And of course, her trigger was when a reporter referenced the band as Richard Carpenter and his chubby but talented sister.

I became "aware" of my body image when I was 8 or 9.  I remember feeling fat.  I was always a skinny kid.  Anyway, I started sneak exercising, jumping rope and doing hula hoops in the garage.  To this day I never let my weight get too far out of hand.    And while my self-esteem wasn't always the greatest, I don't think watching one's weight is necessarily a bad thing.

Perhaps the focus should be less on emoticons and more on monitoring your child's internet activity.

 



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So because some people having eating disorders we should ban 'I feel fat" emoticons? Everything you disagree with should be banned and everything you agree with should be allowed without question. Wow, just wow.

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FNW wrote:
flan327 wrote:

I don't care if it's a "little thing." Eating disorders are rampant.

flan


 Eating disorders have been around way before emoticons.  Remember Karen Carpenter.  And of course, her trigger was when a reporter referenced the band as Richard Carpenter and his chubby but talented sister.

I became "aware" of my body image when I was 8 or 9.  I remember feeling fat.  I was always a skinny kid.  Anyway, I started sneak exercising, jumping rope and doing hula hoops in the garage.  To this day I never let my weight get too far out of hand.    And while my self-esteem wasn't always the greatest, I don't think watching one's weight is necessarily a bad thing.

Perhaps the focus should be less on emoticons and more on monitoring your child's internet activity.

 


 Yes, I realize that.

I applaud the fact that someone is speaking out, though.

flan



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flan327 wrote:

There's also an "I feel ugly" emoticon.

flan


 There are some days I feel ugly, too.  And nobody has the right to tell me that isn't a valid feeling, and anyone that tries can F off.



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FNW wrote:
flan327 wrote:

I don't care if it's a "little thing." Eating disorders are rampant.

flan


 Eating disorders have been around way before emoticons.  Remember Karen Carpenter.  And of course, her trigger was when a reporter referenced the band as Richard Carpenter and his chubby but talented sister.

I became "aware" of my body image when I was 8 or 9.  I remember feeling fat.  I was always a skinny kid.  Anyway, I started sneak exercising, jumping rope and doing hula hoops in the garage.  To this day I never let my weight get too far out of hand.    And while my self-esteem wasn't always the greatest, I don't think watching one's weight is necessarily a bad thing.

Perhaps the focus should be less on emoticons and more on monitoring your child's internet activity.

 


 Seriously.  If Facebook causes you mental anguish - get off it.



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Both fat and ugly are options someone can choose to use in a post on their page. Therefore it is a statement someone is choosing to make about themselves. How does that translate to someone else fat shaming them?

Also, she seems to be confusing the word feeling with feelings. Two different things.

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There is an alien emoticon too. Is that "ET shaming?"

I don't agree with banning it. I would agree that someone using it to bully needs banned, or restricted. But there is nothing wrong with saying "I feel fat" or "I feel ugly". Those are both valid statements if they match your feelings at the time. Sometimes, I feel both of those things. And sometimes, I feel smoking hot and sometimes I feel skinny. I should be allowed to state which is the case if I want to.

Who is to say fat is bad? Lots of people are attracted to bigger people. So you are now restricting their ability to self identify as the sexual fetish they prefer. We probably all have heard the crude term "chubby chaser". Well, it exists because some people prefer big partners. Deciding it is a term that everyone doesn't like is wrong. Some people would wear the "fat" label with pride. Who is FB to judge?

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I'm just thankful that I'm past all the "I feel fat and/or ugly" drama.

I know who I am & I accept myself.

Not all young women can do that.

flan

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flan327 wrote:

I'm just thankful that I'm past all the "I feel fat and/or ugly" drama.

I know who I am & I accept myself.

Not all young women can do that.

flan


 You are correct - not all young women can. But Facebook emoticons aren't their problem. Their problem is internal, not external. 

 



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Mellow Momma wrote:
flan327 wrote:

I'm just thankful that I'm past all the "I feel fat and/or ugly" drama.

I know who I am & I accept myself.

Not all young women can do that.

flan


 You are correct - not all young women can. But Facebook emoticons aren't their problem. Their problem is internal, not external. 

 


 Yes, but I think it adds to an existing problem. Should we have a skeleton for anorexics? A puking emoticon for bulimics?

flan



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There is a skeleton - but it isn't for anorexics. It's for Halloween.

The emoticons will have the power and the meaning each person gives to them. If I saw a skeleton emoticon, it would never occur to me that it would be for anorexic.

Just because something CAN be used to bully, doesnt mean it IS being used to bully.

What about the people who are proud of being fat? Or the people who are attracted to big people? Why are their feelings not as important as the feelings of the vulnerable?

The vulnerable population would be better served seeking help for their issues where the problem lies, not where the problem isn't.

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Clothes hanger lollipop
Magazine photo op
I'd rather be a pin-up girl
Than zero size

Throw me a curve it looks so fine

Wishing there was less of you ?
Are you really sure
Just how much less is more
Girls are shapely by design
Exactly what you've got
Is so easy to adore

Clothes hanger lollipop
Magazine photo op
I'd rather be a pin-up girl
Than zero size

Throw me a curve not a straight narrow line
Throw me a curve and I'll show you mine
Get the message it's divine
Throw me a curve it looks so fine

Microthin is way too in
I am not so sure
I'd rather just be me
Seems everybody in the world
Thinks that x-ray girls
Are the only way to be

Clothes hanger lollipop
Magazine photo op
I'd rather be a pin-up girl
Than zero size

Throw me a curve not a straight narrow line
Throw me a curve and I'll show you mine
Get the message it's divine
Throw me a curve
Throw me a curve
Throw me a curve it looks so fine

Throw me a curve not a straight narrow line
Throw me a curve and I'll show you mine
Throw me a curve (..?)
Throw me a curve get it superfun
Get the message it's divine
Throw me a curve
Throw me a curve
Throw me a curve it looks so fine



-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Tuesday 10th of March 2015 01:21:26 PM

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I loved the Go-Go's & have never heard that song.

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Its from a much later album after they kind of disappeared.

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They changed it:

Facebook is replacing its "feeling fat" emoji with "feeling stuffed" after thousands of people signed an online petition to protest that it promoted online body shaming.

Catherine Weingarten of the group Endangered Bodies started the Change.org petition last month, saying "fat is not a feeling" and use of a chubby emoji with a double chin can be harmful to people with eating disorders and encourages negative body image.

flan

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I still don't get how it is promoting body shaming to say you feel fat. It's a personal choice to post it or not.

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There used to be an app where you could take your own picture and give yourself "chins". Should that be banned, too? Sheesh.

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Why do they assume that emoticon is only for women? Are men prohibited from using it?

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This was so silly. I can't believe they're bowing to pressure. Women feel fat all the time. Bloated when they get their period. Fat when they just eat a big meal. And men can use it too. So dumb. Some people take everything personally.

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Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

This was so silly. I can't believe they're bowing to pressure. Women feel fat all the time. Bloated when they get their period. Fat when they just eat a big meal. And men can use it too. So dumb. Some people take everything personally.


 I think those opposed to the emoji are calling attention to a larger issue.

flan



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Again the politically correct nutso's are imposing their stupidity on the rest of the world. Like sheep to the slaughter some people just follow right along. What happens when they decide something YOU (general you) like is no longer politically correct? Sheep I tell you!

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Tinydancer wrote:

Again the politically correct nutso's are imposing their stupidity on the rest of the world. Like sheep to the slaughter some people just follow right along. What happens when they decide something YOU (general you) like is no longer politically correct? Sheep I tell you!


 no

How can you stand to associate with us?

flan



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Not everyone here is a sheep...  no

 

 

edited to add the little shaking head you like so much



-- Edited by Tinydancer on Tuesday 10th of March 2015 05:02:54 PM

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In reality the issues are so much deeper and making a big deal over a generalized emoticon only serves to minimalize the real struggle. Rather than pretend a fix is as simple as no one using an I feel fat emoticon,  those suffering should be  encouraged to  reach out and get help so that they can  learn to handle seeing  or hearing such things. Trying to control those around us isn't the answer and pretending it is only does a disservice those affected.


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It's a SELF used emoticon. It's not like there is a place on facebook where you can look at someone's picture and put it up.

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How the hell do some people function in the world when everything is so offensive?

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Lawyerlady wrote:

How the hell do some people function in the world when everything is so offensive?


 Because not everything is...

flan



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flan327 wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:

How the hell do some people function in the world when everything is so offensive?


 Because not everything is...

flan


 NO one would know it from all the stuff you complain about.

 

Here are some emoticons to take offense at -

 

 



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Lawyerlady wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:

How the hell do some people function in the world when everything is so offensive?


 Because not everything is...

flan


 NO one would know it from all the stuff you complain about.

 

Here are some emoticons to take offense at -

 

 


 I am the ONLY one who complains here???

How often have I heard the phrase "slippery slope" or been told that the US Government is going to attack Americans in their homes?

flan



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no



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The shaming emoticon. I think it should be banned...lol


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I don't think the government is going to attack us and force use to use the "I feel fat." emoticon.

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Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

I don't think the government is going to attack us and force use to use the "I feel fat." emoticon.


 Come on NJN you know they'll make us and if we don't they throw us down the slippery slope and that sounds like fun!



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Tinydancer wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

I don't think the government is going to attack us and force use to use the "I feel fat." emoticon.


 Come on NJN you know they'll make us and if we don't they throw us down the slippery slope and that sounds like fun!


 Next they'll be making me use the head shaking emoticon.  no  Drat, they're here.



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Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

I don't think the government is going to attack us and force use to use the "I feel fat." emoticon.


 I didn't say that & you know it.

flan



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flan327 wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

I don't think the government is going to attack us and force use to use the "I feel fat." emoticon.


 I didn't say that & you know it.

flan


 I can see no possible way in all of reality how a dumb "I feel fat." emoticon can ever in the whole world lead to a slippery slope.  Or the government coming into our homes.  For gods sake it's an emoticon.  Free speech and all.  You don't post it on OTHER PEOPLES pages.  You post it on YOURS.  It's not bullying someone to call YOURSELF fat.  And if your issues are so delicate that an emoticon will make you kill yourself you first need to sign off FB because you don't need to be on it and two, seek professional help IMMEDIATELY.



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flan327 wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

I don't think the government is going to attack us and force use to use the "I feel fat." emoticon.


 I didn't say that & you know it.

flan


 flan you use that shaking head emoticon and it's the most judgmental of them all yet if I say I'm feeling fat with an emoticon you think that somehow insults someone else. This is what you see in the dictionary by the definition of irony.



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Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

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Well, let's just do away with all the emoticons because no one has every typed "I feel fat." into their status update. Says no one ever.

My SIL loves this emoticon so that all her friends will come tell her how beautiful she is. She does not have a weight issue. She's just an attention whore.

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Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

I don't think the government is going to attack us and force use to use the "I feel fat." emoticon.


 I didn't say that & you know it.

flan


 I can see no possible way in all of reality how a dumb "I feel fat." emoticon can ever in the whole world lead to a slippery slope.  Or the government coming into our homes.  For gods sake it's an emoticon.  Free speech and all.  You don't post it on OTHER PEOPLES pages.  You post it on YOURS.  It's not bullying someone to call YOURSELF fat.  And if your issues are so delicate that an emoticon will make you kill yourself you first need to sign off FB because you don't need to be on it and two, seek professional help IMMEDIATELY.


 What I was RESPONDING TO:

 NO one would know it from all the stuff you complain about.

I am NOT the only one who complains here, and I cited examples that had nothing to do with THIS thread.

flan

 



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Well I'm complaining about the shaking head emoticon. It makes me feel judged for disagreeing with you. I know you're a librarian but I am not some child who needs to be scolded because you have no answers to the questions asked.

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My profession has NOTHING to do with it.

flan

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