body

Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.

You Took My Innocence and With it My Control!
“Shh. Stop crying or someone will hear you!” She covered my mouth with her hand while her other hand remained on my breast. “If someone comes in here, I will beat you up!” I remained still and let my cousin’s hand roam over my 5-year-old breast and my private parts, the threat of her beating me up remaining in my head. I was terrified to scream, but I knew what she was doing to me was wrong and I had no control. She was ten years old and knew better.
By Nanette Tenpo8 years ago in Viva
Do You Love Yourself?
Do you ever wonder where body image issues stem from? It's just as common in men as it is in women. Wanting to be muscular, thin, beautiful. Is it from the magazines? MTV? For fuck's sake, the Kardashians? Why do we feel the need to impress everybody else to feel good in our own skin? Why do we think we need the attention? Some people blame being the middle child. Or not being hugged often enough. But I think the human brain is so much more complicated than that. It's about being true to yourself. Or, at least, I think it should be. We shouldn't have to wonder if these jeans make us look fat. Why does anyone care? And the end of the day, can you look in the mirror and honestly answer, "Do you love yourself?" Because if the answer is no, maybe you should start. Start taking the steps to love your body, your personality, your curves, or not? Maybe you’re reading this and wished you looked like me. Is that possible? Grass is always greener on the other side, I suppose.
By Abbey Nims8 years ago in Viva
My Rape Recovery
As expected the occurrence of rape can change a person. A simple, despicable act can alter the bubbliest of personalities. So many things come to surface when you face the path that someone else has chosen for you. You feel as though you have no control over any situation at all. There may even be a period of time where you knowingly begin to self-destruct.
By The Darkest Sunrise8 years ago in Viva
It's My Body. Back Off
Body shaming wasn't something you ever really heard about until recently. It happened. It still happens, but it wasn't big news. It wasn't until one of my students came in (they're 7) and said, "I'm on a diet. I'm fat." Shocked, I said, "Excuse me?" and they told me how their mother had put them on a diet. Now, this mother may not have done so and this child may have just been all talk, but at SEVEN the biggest thing a girl needs to be worried about is whether or not she's getting a Barbie Dream House...
By Hutch8 years ago in Viva
A Letter from Your Fat Friend
Dear friend, First of all, I want you to know that I love you and that this is not me having a go at you. I need to tell you that you fat shame. You fat shame yourself and you fat shame others particularly me, your friend .
By Emily Tarff8 years ago in Viva
One Size Does Not Fit All
I entered the coffee shop, cursing the scorching heat and wiping away the beads of perspiration from my forehead. The cool air indoors was a saving grace in my hometown’s relentless mid may.
By Anusha Akella8 years ago in Viva
Fat Shaming—Like Cancer to the Soul
Many women in our society—yes, myself included—have learned to hate our femininity, hate our form, hate our maturity as we grow older, hate our bodies, our minds, deny our wisdom. How many of us women who have a certain amount of extra weight have experienced the following scenario...or similar?
By Kate Quinn8 years ago in Viva
Fat and Skinny Shaming
Society has ways of developing a right and wrong view of what true beauty is, going as far as blaming the makers of the Barbie doll for demonstrating an illusion of what beauty is too young girls. Females are the main target when it comes to beauty, but males suffer too. There are promotions for beauty being on the inside because of how the shapes of bodies are looked down upon. The point to this is to show a side that isn’t shown as often as it should be.
By Brittany Diamond8 years ago in Viva
I'm Not the Pretty Girl. Top Story - May 2018.
Do you ever feel like you're not going to find your soulmate? I definitely know that feeling. I also know the feeling of thinking that you're not enough for someone. I know the feeling when your mom or dad says, "You would be one hell of a catch," but I know that I wouldn't be. I know the feeling of being crazy excited when you're finally talking to a hot guy and then you feel like you're worth something because someone like him wants you. I used to know these feelings. Not anymore.
By Madison Rheam, B.A.8 years ago in Viva
Am I Beautiful?
Today I can honestly say I feel quite beautiful. It is, of course, due to the fact that my insides feel good and not because I look good on the outside. I ordered a salad instead of pizza and why? Because it is healthy, that's why. I am not thick or thin but somewhere in between 106 and 160. At one point I was 160 because I was full of bad foods and an equally terrible lifestyle.
By Elizabeth Rox8 years ago in Viva
Is There Something Wrong With My Body?
Approximately 91 percent of women have a negative body image. That is a staggering number. All the pictures portrayed of the stick-thin models in magazines and on Instagram are unrealistic. In fact, only 5 percent of the women in America actually possess the "ideal" body presented by the media. So what is the ideal body? The ideal body is when you are happy, love your body, and are healthy—not only physically but mentally. How you get there is up to you. If you simply struggle with how you think about your body, work on changing your mindset. If you want to physically change your body, find exercises and a routine that works for you. Finding your ideal is how you find confidence and self-love. Your ideal doesn't have to be looking like a supermodel. Maybe your ideal is finding something you like about your body and focusing on it. Maybe your ideal is showing your body off to build confidence. Maybe your ideal is telling yourself you are beautiful. Whatever your "Ideal" is, once you find it, you should be able to love your body. Loving yourself can do wonders for your mental health because you don't obsess over tiny flaws. If you radiate confidence, other people are attracted to that positive energy.
By Luna Teal8 years ago in Viva
Loving All but Myself
It’s the same thing every morning. I wake up, check my phone, brush my teeth and any other morning ritual a person does. I make sure to stretch because this will help the motion in the muscles and with flexibility, and it just makes me feel good.
By Lily8 years ago in Viva