There is always a negative with every positive in life and this is yet another one.
Before plus size woman crack out the champagne and celebrate the truly momentous occasion when a plus sized model is featured in a swimsuit magazine let’s take a look at both sides to this story.
Model Ashley Graham has become the first plus size model to ever feature in an issue of Sports Illustrated magazine. Source
One side : Great job Sports Illustrated!
Other side : So now it’s OK to objectify woman of all sizes?
I think the term Plus size is a little degrading, I mean she is not fat, look how toned she is. Is it because she is sexy PLUS curvy?
One side : She is not what society want to see so it’s a novelty.
Other side : It’s not her that is plus size it’s everyone else that is minus. Majority of woman (don’t know actual statistics) are not a size “skinny”. Plus is actually average.
Why is it OK to objectify woman?
One side : Because woman should be proud of their bodies no need to hide it.
Other side: Men staring at woman is just wrong and shouldn’t be tolerated.
Swimsuitsforall make swim suits the average woman can wear.
One side : That’s great.
Other side : There shouldn’t need to be a “special” store for this, swimsuits should come in all sizes. Afterall isn’t it the woman’s choice if she want’s to show off a little or a lot?
OK so now your turn. Which side are you on? Share your thoughts below.
benceagi says
These women are not average, they are professional models. The average plus size women have a hanging belly, or fat around their waistline, too wide backside etc. I would know 😉 These pictures are just as bad as the skinny ones, they still say: if you don´t look like this, you are not good enough.
I wish we could find real help for those who want to lose weight and become healthier, but if they can´t or don´t want to, nobody should judge them.
Susan says
My dear. If the day ever comes when men stop looking at women’s bodies, the human race is toast. We can demand respect, we can frown on catcalls etc. for good reason, but we cannot stop ( nor should we) stop them looking. I don’t believe men are totally responsible for the current ideal in women’s body fat, I think women bear some responsibility for that. When I was a young women were supposed to be curvy and voluptuous, think Marilyn, Jane(s) , Sophia etc. How SKINNY girls like I was longed for large breasts, big buttocks and tiny waists. Being called Birdlegs wasn’t a. compliment! Now we have glamour girls that look emacIated, like Angelina, the new Mrs Clooney, etc. and we’re told the camera ADDS 10 lbs. Men like woman, and I suspect many of them prefer soft and curvy ones,
So let’s all let it go
wendy says
This must be a fairly new article so I guess I will be the first to take the leap. First of all most plus size women do not look like the model in the above picture. I live in an area where you see a lot of “OVERWEIGHT” (Plus size) Women in bikinis and they do not look all that great. If you see most of the women that are plus size do you really want to see them in Bikini? Just a question? Most of the men I see that are “OVERWEIGHT’ (Plus size) I don’t want to see in their swimsuits that usually don’t fit properly. Just my opinion.
rosemarie says
this model is a size 14. multiply that by 2 and you have a plus size model. come on give me a break.
Sally says
I think it’s truly great. I think celebrating healthy weight and confidence is always good – who cares if the industry wants to slap a “plus size” label on it? As I’m getting healthier and more in shape, this woman’s body size is much more attainable than the normal size 0 to 2s in magazines. I know a lot of people are saying that this isn’t truly plus and most of America is so much bigger…. is that a good thing? There’s a healthy balance between emaciated and obese and I for one love seeing it flaunted! Confidence at any size is a must, but I think America has to stop lying to ourselves and get honest about health issues.
As for the objectifying part – you said yourself in this article that bathing suits should come in all sizes and women should have the right to wear whatever they want. Well, the flip side of that is people (not just men) will look. More skin showing = more attention, no matter your body type. I don’t think it’s fair to say, “I’m confident and feel good in this bikini, but don’t you dare stare at me or admire all this skin showing for the world to see….”
Hira says
Saw this lady in real life… She is not a plus size neither is she fat… She is tall and an average 12… I was shocked as to why she would be a plus size…