09/15/06

The ban on skinny models.

If you've been following any of the new fashion news, you may have heard about the recent ban being imposed for fashion week. Models deemed to skinny are banned from the runway in Madrid. 4 countries are currently seeking legislation to ban what they deem to be too skinny of models from modeling.

The reason behind the move is that models are now to blame for diseases such as anorexia and bulimia. If the ban passes, models must have a BMI of at least 18 AND wear at least a size 8. Even if you are naturally skinny and have the natural ability to burn through food faster than you can eat it, you are still not welcomed to model in those countries.

There are a couple of things that amaze me about this story. The first is the blatant discrimination against people based on their size. If a ban was to be passed that plus size models can't be anything overweight because it could be a sign of an eating disorder there would be a public outcry. The second that really bothers me is that this article was introduced the same day a study came out stating that America is at the "fattest" it's ever been with there now being more obese people than ever before.

Essentially what this ban is telling me is that being overweight is ONLY caused by a medical condition and those that are should be allowed to be that way BUT those that are underweight are all anorexic and bulimic. Those writing the article are telling the world that everyone under a size 8 starves themselves or throws up to maintain their size.

Personally, I know quite a few people who have a BMI under 18.5. Mine is only 15. I've never starved myself and I've never thrown up. I honestly don't know anyone who has. However, once this ban goes into effect, the countries that enforce it will be telling the world that I, and all other skinny people, must have an eating disorder.

I work really hard to maintain and gain weight. I use appetite stimulants to increase how much I eat, I use weight gainer in an attempt to get closer to society's definition of normal and I accept the fact that unless I'm pregnant, I will not wear a size 8 anytime in the near future.

It sickens me enough to hear whispers on a regular basis regarding my weight, it disgusts me to hear rumors that have been spread about my weight, and it saddens me to know that because of people like the organizers of this event, it will be even worse.

If Fashion week is attempting to set a better example for teenage girls through their models, maybe it would be better to pass bans on drugs. Kate Moss shouldn't be used as role model to teens, but I think that has more to do with the candid pictures of her snorting cocaine up her nose. Or hey, why not pass a ban on smoking because well dressed, beautiful women are constantly photographed smoking and some young girl will probably imitate that as well.

In listening to the Armstrong and Getty show this morning (Don't bash me, I'm a huge talk radio fan, Especially Michael Savage) I listened to them totally and completely bash women who are a size 0. How unattractive they are, how no one they have ever known could be attracted to someone like that and the same old jokes about a skinny turning sideways and you losing them. Since I had Kaitlyn in the car I changed the station. Sure, she's not old enough to understand but I still don't like to have her listen to such a disgusting rant on body image regardless of which way it's slanted.

So, my point is this: Unless you've walked in the shoes of someone else, don't make assumptions about their life styles. Not all skinny people have eating disorders or drug addictions and not all fat people are lazy overeaters.

And, I guess I won't be changing careers anytime soon....