Scrolling through the news on my phone the other day, a headline caught my eye, “Turning the Lens on Fat Shaming.” Given the unusual title, I was intrigued; what was this story about? The link led to a video highlighting The Adipositivity Project, a grass roots initiative started by two photographers, Substantia Jones and Haley… Continue Reading →
Facebook, give me a break from your dieting ads
Yesterday as I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, I was treated to an ad that Facebook had decided was relevant to my life as a high school female. The words “Skinny Confidential” headed the advertisement; below, the post expanded, informing me: “‘1 Summer Weight Loss Trick:’ This Secret Was Designed to Lose Weight and… Continue Reading →
Media finds Kate Middleton’s new body more interesting than new son
I hate to say it, but the way I found out about Prince George’s birth was through reading this article. I was happy to see the body-positive title, “Kate Middleton’s royal baby post-bump is a boost of confidence for new mums everywhere” — despite the strange wording (“baby post-bump”?). However, I was sickened by the… Continue Reading →
Menstruation: it’s only as big a deal as you make it
Have you ever wondered what sex ed might have been like for your grandparents? If you have, check out this 1946 video – made by Disney – called “The Story of Menstruation.” At first, all I could see were the ways in which it is outdated and incomplete. It debunks taboos that are completely alien… Continue Reading →
Celebrity baby mamas: hot new trend; regular baby mamas: not so much
Let’s get one thing clear from the start: I’m not judging high-profile women like the currently preggers Kate Winslet or Halle Berry for having children with multiple partners. That’s not what this post is about. Instead, it’s about how our culture lets some women who engage in Multiple Partner Fertility (MPF) off the hook (ahem,… Continue Reading →
The advertising industry fails to step up to Australia’s body image diversity awards
Nearly two years on from their introduction, Australia’s Positive Body Image awards are failing to catch the attention of fashion, media and entertainment, and advertising industry organizations and individuals. About-Face has previously covered the Australian government’s National Advisory Group on Body Image, and their voluntary code of conduct and awards. In 2012, the inaugural awards… Continue Reading →
Will this be “Your Sexiest Summer Ever”? Magazines say yes (and why I say no)
The most recent issue of my favorite fashion magazine is promising me this will be my “Sexiest Summer Ever!” The one where I will have the PERFECT summer fling and my BEST beach body. Ha! Only if sexy means lounging in my extra-large t-shirt all day, watching reruns of Gossip Girl and eating a bag… Continue Reading →
Be comfortable in your own skin, no matter what the American Medical Association says
The American Medical Association thinks it’s time to begin classifying obesity as a “disease”. This news brought me back to reality after I found myself caught up in my own recent weight loss. Let me back up a bit. Recently, after I did a presentation, someone told me I appeared “very comfortable in [my] own skin”…. Continue Reading →
No More: a high schooler’s perspective on More magazine’s treatment of middle-aged women
I have a confession: I’m eighteen, and I read More magazine. Every month, I get a glimpse into what it means to be a woman over the age of forty in American society. Recently, I overheard a saying: “Men age, women rot.” This phrase encapsulates the message that More sends its readers. It’s the reason that… Continue Reading →