A Perilous Return: How Skinny Worship Is Resurging and What It Means for Women
This shift is particularly unsettling. As women’s reproductive rights are eroded in America and female journalists face public disparagement – as when a former president reportedly told a journalist to be “quiet, piggy” – a parallel trend of women “quietly erasing themselves” emerges. While drawing a direct causal link may be overly simplistic, the convergence is deeply concerning.
Author Naomi Wolf, in her 1990s book The Beauty Myth, posited that societal pressure on women to conform to increasingly unrealistic beauty standards intensifies as women gain political power.The argument suggests that as women become stronger politically, the “ideal” female form becomes physically weaker. This theory resonates with the current landscape, reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s when skeletal models dominated runways and Kate Moss famously stated, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” One individual reflected on their own experience, noting the falseness of this statement, having experienced thinness during periods of significant stress and recovery from surgery.
the use – and potential abuse – of medications like Ozempic further complicates the issue. A source in New York reported, approximately one year ago, that the drug was increasingly being used by already-thin women to achieve even greater weight loss, observing a “parade of paper-thin socialites.” Dinners were often left unfinished, with attendees merely picking at their plates.
It is indeed crucial to emphasize that there should be no shame or stigma associated with taking Ozempic,which can be genuinely transformative for some. The health benefits are significant, despite growing concerns about potential side effects, including links to depression, suicidal thoughts, and even pregnancy.Furthermore, scrutinizing the weight of public figures, even under the guise of “concern,” is unproductive and unkind. It is indeed equally unhelpful to demand that women who have previously challenged limiting beauty standards maintain a specific size.
However,something deeply unsettling is happening. Musician Teniola Keck highlighted the danger of remaining silent, stating, “We can’t just keep saying it’s not your body, you can’t comment on it, when not commenting on it is leading to a rise in ED [eating disordered] culture, a rise in restrictive eating, a rise in literally just everyone wanting to be smaller, a rise in Ozempic sales because people want to be skinny now.” Keck’s perspective,informed by her own past struggles with disordered eating,underscores the impact on young people who are observing these trends.
Millions of adults are also taking notice. British writer Rose Stokes lamented the abrupt end to the body positivity movement and the resurgence of a culture where female empowerment is equated with visible bones. She recounted a moment when her partner found her crying while scrolling through Instagram, overwhelmed by the shift. Stokes wrote that the messaging has changed dramatically from a time when brands actively promoted self-love and inclusivity – exemplified by Vogue’s 2015 cover featuring three plus-size models – to a “noughties-level skinny worship culture” that evokes painful memories.
Billions of dollars are generated by industries that profit from women’s insecurities. The most effective way to combat this is by prioritizing personal health, but we must resist the glamorization of undernourishment. Ultimately, a critical conversation is needed to address this dangerous trend and protect the well-being of women and girls.
