Body privilege
Body privilege is defined as invisible, unearned benefits based on physical appearance. The ideal body type set by Western standards is white, thin, and muscular. Academic ideas such as the halo effect use body privilege to describe the phenomenon of beautiful people being perceived as good people based on their beauty.[1]
Overview
Body privilege is a relatively new concept. The term was borrowed from Peggy McIntosh's idea of white privilege and evolved into the idea that privilege is also based on a person's body size. Kwan coined the term "body privilege" and explains how it affects some people's everyday life. For example, in some cases a person's body is seen as an indicator of a person's intelligence. A person's body can also be a deciding factor on employment decisions such as hiring and promoting.[2]
Thin privilege
The slender figure is seen to be the most beautiful body type in society today. This slender body is sensationalized on runways and media all around the world. Women are subjected to the image of the "ideal" body type everywhere they look. This idea has become another way to measure success. If a woman is thin and attractive she is often seen and treated as more successful. Thin privilege is reported more by women than men and lead to a high levels of body consciousness.[3]
References
Notes
- DeFrancisco, V.P., Palczewski, C.H. & McGeough, D.D. (2014). Gender in Communication: A critical introduction. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
- Kwan, S. (2010). Navigating public spaces: Gender, race, and body privilege in everyday life.(subscription required) Feminist Formations, 22(2), 144-166.
- Van Amsterdam, N. (2013). Big fat inequalities, thin privilege: An intersectional perspective on 'body size'. European Journal of Woman's Studies. May 2013 (20) 155-169. doi:10.1177/1350506812456461.