can you fuckin believe it

[fflo]

Thanks to Big Fat Blog for the most outrageously stupid argument in the anti-fat scare culture I've seen in a long time: making/selling kids' clothes in larger sizes might make more kids fat---and, god forbid, make the fat ones feel less horrible about their bodies.

Here's a (foul) taste of it:

Now retailers are responding to America's growing children, offering kids fashions in bigger sizes. While kids are happy with more fashionable options, some doctors and parents worry that while the plus-size clothes help self-esteem, they could also signal an acceptance of childhood obesity.

. . . [S]ays Christi Byrd Smith, a spokeswoman for Penney's, ". . . Our customers deserve to wear something to fit in with their peers and deserve something fashionable."

However, medical professionals and parents of overweight children are torn on the issue. Yes, larger, better-fitting clothing can provide short-term gain for children in terms of self-esteem. But will the growing selection prove to be a motivation killer?

It goes on from there.

I'd puke if it weren't what the fat-phobic think I should be doing.

Comments

Re: Brilliant new icon.

[fflo.livejournal.com]

You know, I've been meaning to tell you: I've had chronic left shoulder problems for years. I would occasionally get remissions of a sort, but only for a matter of weeks. It has been pretty damned bad at times, causing all sorts of problems with various aspects of life. But I'm now on the longest streak of a relatively pain-free shoulder/neck I can remember (in maybe 10 years), and it seems to coincide with my getting on the CPAP machine for sleep apnea (starting back at the beginning of Feb.). Cause and effect? Who the hell knows. I'm just grateful and a little amazed, when I'm not afraid allowing amazement will jinx it (where's some wood to knock on??), having thought I'd just keep going downhill that way for the rest of my life.

I'd pursued a wide range of trad./Western medical and other therapeutic investigations/treatments, too. I can really feel for ya.

But that's not really what we're talking about here, I guess. Yeah, the clothes hunt can suck---and thrifting means going through a helluva lot of articles of clothing to find something you want & can wear. Not that I haven't had luck, but it's usually cuz I'm thrifting with "regular"-sized people who are gleaning all kinds of stuff, and I've run out of housewares and books to browse in. : ) My main sartorial approach, esp. given economic conditions, is to keep it simple and wear lots of T-shirts and whatever pants I can find and stand that fit and aren't an arm and a leg.

Re: Brilliant new icon.

[eve-l-incarnata.livejournal.com]

That's wild. It would be interesting to know if getting on the CPAP machine was what helped. Are you left-handed? Did you get "diagnosed"?

Can you tell I love this icon?