Indian culture (actually, most cultures) loves blaming women. From unsafe public spaces to shaming their bodies through advertisements and movies, the attack is on several fronts through several different ways.
One of the most frustrating parts of living in a patriarchal society is its unachievable and highly unrealistic body standards. We’re expected to be skinny and curvy, tall but not too much, have a thin waist but a big butt, long hair but not too long… the list is too long and too complicated to continue.
Most often, we’re peddled a taunt in the form of a compliment from a relative or acquaintance who insists they’re trying to “help us”. If you’ve heard the following statements… beware! It’s internalised body-shaming coming to the surface.
1. “You’re very pretty for a fat girl.”
2. “OMG, you’re so skinny… don’t you eat anything? Ghar pe khana nahi banta ya fir phir mummy khane nahi deti?”
Credit: Giphy/Mean Girls
3. “Wow, you can really run for someone who is not thin.”
4. Being called “kaali/moti/chashmish”.
Credit: Giphy/Dharma Productions
5. “You’re so brave for wearing such short/revealing clothes.”
6. “You should not wear such fitted clothes. It doesn’t look flattering on you.”
Credit: Giphy/Coolidge Corner Theatre
7. “Wow, your arms and legs are so hairy!”
8. Called “bhaalu/bandar” for having body hair, like excuse me?
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9. “Don’t cut your hair short, you’ll look like a boy.”
10. “All girls must shave their underarms otherwise it looks so manly.”
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11. “You shouldn’t play in the sun all day. If you become dark, which boy will marry you?”
12. “Did you lose weight? You look great!”
13. “Do you really want to eat so much? Shouldn’t you control?”
Credit: Giphy/VH1
These are just a few pieces of advice we’d rather avoid. Let us know what other variations you’ve heard. We’re waiting for you in the comments section!
Lead image credit: Dharma Productions
