Thinness

Seeing Ourselves chapter 7 is titled Cultural Obsessions with Thinness: African American, Latina, and White Women by Becky W. Thompson.  In this article Thompson explores three theoretical models used to explain eating disorders.  The first of these models is the biomedical model, claiming there are scientific ties to physiological reasons for eating disorders.  The second model is psychological model claiming eating disorders are more a matter of the pysche.  The third model is Gender Specific and Cultural stating that eating disorders are primarily found in women and those targeted by cultural ‘bullying’.  I believe that regardless of gender, race, class or experience, anyone with an eating disorder fits into all three of these models.  If a patient suffering from an eating disorder was to be treated with all three models in mind, I believe they would recieve a well rounded and helpful treatment.  As few as one of these three models or as many as all three could contribute to an individuals illness but at some point a patient will probably experience all three.  It is a matter of mind, body or spirit and this is used to break down or explain many dilemmas. 

The article also ties sexual abuse to eating disorders.  This part was extremely new and interesting to me.  In todays media it is most typically the relation of culture and what is described as “beauty” that plagues individuals and most often is what leads one to an eating disorder.  Before this article I had not heard of the research linking sexual abuse to eating disorders.  It absolutely makes sense and I believe deserves much more attention.  Typically, when a victim has experienced abuse he/she tends to feel disembodied or senses loss of control over the body.  This means any weight gain or loss does not affect them in a way it would another individual with a “normal” connection to the body.  Ongoing sexual abuse can also lead to the victim feeling as if their being less sexually attractive may help to stop the abuse.  If a young woman developing hips and breasts could cut down on their size by starving herself, the victim may feel she could lose appeal to the abuser. 

Racism and classism contributes to eating disorders in an interesting and newly researched way as well.  Certain races are expected to be thin and some are expected to be “plump”.  Many ethnicities have strong cultural ties to food.  How can women feel included without consequently gaining weight?  When it comes to class order, families climbing the social ladder usually attend many social functions laden with very delicious foods.  Who could resist?  However, as the class order of the family rises, they are seen more in the social structures of their community so the push to be good looking, thin and well dressed increases.       BY ELIZABETH

One thought on “Thinness

  1. The psychological model identifies eating disorders as “multidimensional disorder” that is influenced by biological and psychological factor. The biomedical offers important scientific research about possible psychological dangers of purging and starvation. The feminist explains why the vast majority of people with eating disorders are women, how gender socialization and sexism may relate to eating problems, and how masculine models of psychological development have shaped theoretical interpretations. Thompson says women eating strategies began as logical solutions to problems rather than problems themselves as they tried to cope with a variety of traumas. Black and ethnic men are not likely to feed into vanity. So they are not as obsessed as women to maintain a certain weight. Low–income men have others problems to worry about.
    Reading this blog about thinness was educational. There are many issues that may cause and the effect women eating habits. I can relate, because I’m on the thin side and many black people think I’m too skinny while white people think I’m perfect. I tend to over eat and never gain a pound. My intention is to gain weight to satisfy other people. The same way many women don’t eat or have eating disorders. I think it is psychological, and it’s the way we are brought up. Women should be happy with whom they are, and don’t let America shape their image of themselves. America doesn’t like anything that is too ethnic and being on the heavier side is more African then European. An eating disorder is a sign that some emotional traumas may be involved. Some sociologists believe that sexual abuse is a cause of eating disorders. I understand how that can be. In order to deal or not deal with a problem some women turn to food. Then they realize that the just ate enough for two people they start to feel bad and began making themselves puke. Sociologists are trying to understand eating disorders, and they have different ways of seeing the problem. I think that they have valid points America is part of the problem, but not the only one.

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