EDWARD LAWLOR — THE SILHOUETTE (McMaster University)

HAMILTON (CUP) — It’s a phrase I’ve heard all too often: “You need to eat more.”

As a tall, lanky teenager I have been openly criticized for my weight by peers, co-workers and even teachers. Today, there aren’t many people who would approach their overweight peers and tell them to “hit the gym” or “lay off the fries.” So why is it acceptable to tell someone they are not allowed to be thin? It seems that this age of self-love and size acceptance has left out one demographic: skinny people.

Now, before you angrily turn the page and curse the media for trying to tell you that “thin is in,” please read on. I do not represent any media entities. I am an individual, trying to plead my case.

It is no secret that the media often portrays only one body type as being ideal, and in doing so leaves everyone else feeling physically inadequate. In light of this unfair portrayal, many have spoken out against it. However, some have misdirected their dissatisfaction at thin people. One need only search “skinny hate” online to observe this.

Often people who find themselves struggling with their weight will direct their unhappiness towards the thin individual. These same people will even go so far as to say “being thin is unattractive” or “I’d rather have curves than have people see my bones.”

While these statements might have the intention to target the media, they in fact do more damage to those who are thin. It seems almost counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? In an attempt to reject the preference of one body type over another, these people have fallen directly into the trappings they’re trying to stop.

I am not oblivious to the sad reality of eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia. They are awful afflictions, which no one should have to suffer through. But there does exist a third reality: some of us are born thin.

Whether it be hyper-active metabolisms, genetics or simply fate, there exist humans who eat normally but find it hard to gain weight. We should not be shamed for our naturally slender physique the same way no one should be shamed for their naturally full-bodied physique.

Furthermore, the grass is not much greener on the thin side of things. There are drawbacks attached to every body type, and ectomorphs are no exception. People often associate a lean figure with weakness, so it may come as no surprise that slender children and teens encounter bullying.

I remember being made fun of for my weight (or lack thereof) throughout elementary and high school. Being called scrawny, bony and lanky subtly prompted me to wear long sleeves and pants constantly. I would refuse to leave my home without a sweater on, even in the summer heat, for fear of being ridiculed. Shopping for clothes can be almost as discouraging when pants won’t stay up and every outfit makes you look like a toddler playing dress-up. And being told by others that your gaunt frame is reflective of poor health is always disheartening.

To be clear, I am not scrounging for sympathy. If these complaints represent the peak of my bodily setbacks I should count myself as fortunate. Nonetheless, it should be made known that being thin is not always beneficial.

I am not looking to spark a war against people who are not thin; I only wish to inform. Everyone has at one point had issues with their body, whether they be portly, lanky, curvy or somewhere in between. Keeping this in mind, let’s celebrate body types from every point of the spectrum, not just one end.

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Graphic: Stephanie Mah