Who Should We Blame For Anorexia?

Filed in archive Latin Culture , Latina Musings on January 22, 2007

From VivirLatino:

"Sadly, posts on VL about Latina models or aspiring models dying from eating disorders are not uncommon. (...) "Supermodel Gisele Bundchen says weak families are to blame for anorexia -- not the fashion industry that has been widely criticized for promoting waifish silhouettes.

"I never suffered from this problem (anorexia) because I had a very strong family base. Parents are responsible, not the fashion industry," she said in the Friday edition of O Globo newspaper."

I agree. And I disagree. VivirLatino is asking "Who do you think is to blame?" I think both the fashion industry and the parents have their share of guilt (and fault). Even the models (and women) who suffer this illness are to blame.

But what I really think is the "blame game" won't do any good. Ever, in any subject. Instead of looking for who is to blame, we should take responsibility, and DO something.

What have you told your children about this? Have you ever explained to your daughter it is unhealthy to look like some models and actresses? That it's unrealistic wanting to have that kind of body shape? It's ridiculous to believe it is beautiful to walk around showing your ribs? Have you told your son women die trying to fit the standards??

What have you said to your girlfriends? "Uh, that's awful, a 14 years old girl died of anorexia!" followed by "I'm eating nothing but lettuce, to loose a few pounds" or "Oh, you really need a diet, so you'll fit in those size 2 pants "?

What do you say to yourself? Do you believe that "Size 6 is the new 14" crap? Do you think fat people are repellent? Have you noticed some of the so called stunning, sexy celebrities have legs so thin, that the knees are the widest part of it? Do you think that's gorgeous?

What needs to be changed is the "famish look is beautiful" mentality.

Because, ultimately, society is to blame. Us. Each and everyone of us.

Related Entries:

« Venezuelan Law Really Spe... | Main | Bloggers, Law, Civil Righ... »

Permalink: Who Should We Blame For Anorexia?

Tags: Latin models anorexia weight issues eating disorders latin blame+anorexia

Vote for Who Should We Blame For Anorexia?:

Currently 9.33/10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Rating: 9.33 out of 6 vote(s) cast.

Response from: Anorexia Treatment (07/02/08 1:27pm)

I know it's more efficient to actually do something instead searching for someone to blame but I need to clear something here. It's about Gisele's points, she blames the parents, weak parents. Models don't really live with their parents, they travel a lot and their job is their life, otherwise the wouldn't make so many sacrifices. Fashion designers are closer to them than their parents, I blame fashion industry because they are the ones coming with such exaggerated requirements for the sake of beauty.Where's the beauty when someone dies?

Response from: Caitlin (02/27/09 3:19pm)

are they really being serious that families are to be blmaed for anorexia?
how can they possibly be blamed for it? they are not the ones whom take the pictures and say this is how you must look!!
its the fashion industry. where are the size 14 models? oh yes they are the ones who model for the PLUS size magazines and shops!! i think as a society and especially clothing outlets need to look at who promotes their clothing. It has been proven that the best dress size an average woman will be happiest with is a size 14. so maybe we should work with them before we chose to use size "barely existing" models. I think we are forgetting that one of the most beautiful females in the world, Marilyn Monroe, was a size 16!! she celebrated her curves !! and what do we do? we want rid of them.
As a 16 year old girl i feel the pressure of having to be a size 0 although i would NEVER think about starving myself. its not healthy and its not in the slightest attractive. im fed up seein them in the paper i dont care anymore. theyve had their moment. Anorexia as far as im concerened is attention seekin at its worst and people who think this looks good are just as ill as the people who do this to themselves. Anorexia is the slowest form of suicide and it should not be splashed all over the media. i may sound like i dont have a heart but these people need help not given money.