So I want to take the time to respond to my previous post and elaborate on the negatives of eating disorders, and some other interesting things I have run across. I've done several research projects throughout the past three years over medias impact on body image, as well as anorexia, and bulimia.
Now, I fully recognize anorexia and bulimia as disorders, they are generally paired with anxiety and depression. Those who participate in such behaviors may do so because they feel that this is the only aspect in their life they have control over.
There are tons of websites that promote these behaviors; the disorders go by Ana and Mia, short for anorexia and bulimia. These site share tips to maintain low weight, how to avoid people discovering your disorder, and they give support to one another as they take their "journeys" with weight loss.
Obviously I have a problem with these websites, they are unethical, negative, and un healthy for females bodies and minds. (Side note: men and women can both have eating disorders, no discrimination to gender, but it's mainly women. As I refer to females and girls, understand they are not the only ones affected.) According to free speech and free press, there is nothing we can do about these websites. The only way to help our youth is to teach them how to have a good outlook on their body and understand negative effects of eating disorders.
Now besides reading through psychological journals on this topic, I did some media research on good ole Instagram. The first thing I did was search #skinny. My goal in doing this was to see how many girls in general flaunt their thin bodies, and how many girls were posting "Thinsperation" (posting photos of thin girls that will motivate one to become skinny). So I went to the "explore" tab on my Instagram app and this photo popped up before taking me to my search of #skinny!
Holy freaking cow!!!! This is something Instagram has for such a topic!! I don't often search hashtags, especially ones that may be controversial, but my goodness. Part of me is glad they implement this warning, but I'm shocked that it exists.
Next I searched a fancy word that has to do with what I'm talking about, "Anorexia." What I saw was very upsetting. There was some girls posting their recovery from anorexia, but the down side was those who were flaunting their disorder. I have a problem with this. This may get me disliked by some, but I have an issue with people who ask for attention for their problems. If you sincerely have an issue, then I will empathize with you, and understand it is a real issue. If you post photos like the ones below, I don't feel bad for you. I think you are seeking attention, and take away from people who honestly struggle with these disorders!
(It honestly disgusts me how they promote these behaviors and treat them like a fashion trend. They are begging for attention. This is not fair to those who try to hide their struggles and actually need help! These uses are begging for likes and seeking out peoples empathy.)
People actually struggle and have issues! Once you post these things, aside from a past photo saying you're recovering from *insert disorder here*, I do NOT feel bad for you and I assume your photo is just asking for attention from others. People who do this are pathetic; don't advertise your problems in this fashion.
Please and Thank you.
I am by NO means saying these disorders are crap or fake, people honestly struggle with these issues; but the unfortunate truth is some people do it for mere attention, and that is what irks me.
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