Dove VS Victoria's Secret

The image below has been subject to some controversy due to the conflicting body imagery in these "body positive" campaigns.

Some argue that the Victoria's Secret campaign is promoting a certain body type, namely that of a thin, fit woman whose body may be unattainable for most. Others go as far to say that it does not empower women but rather makes them feel poorly about themselves as they do not look a certain way.

I feel this evaluation of the Victoria's Secret ad may be a little harsh as it is trying to send a message for women to love their body, and simply uses the models and images that are so closely associated with its brand. 

The Dove campaign is known for its "real women, real beauty", sending a message that women who do not have the "perfect" body or who have curves are beautiful. However it has also been argued that this campaign may actually be just as harmful as it only shows a select subset of women and body types, just as Victoria Secret does. 

There has recently been a media movement against being thin and saying "real women have curves" and are real women should not be stick thin, but this is just as body negative as saying a woman is not beautiful if she does not have the perfect body. I understand that the effort is to reduce idealizing being overly thin but there are a variety of natural body types, one of them being thin. 

I think that there has been a great overcompensation for the negativity surrounding being "fat" or not having the perfect body. Criticizing any woman (or person) based on their body, be it fat or thin, is incredibly harmful. I think what should matter is if a person is happy, comfortable and healthy. There is a large range of "healthy" weights and much more comes into play than just weight when considering health and happiness.

I personally find myself wondering why people think it is not acceptable to criticize women for being larger, yet still think it is acceptable to criticize women for being thinner. Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion on the matter it is just that these criticisms being out out there have a negative tone and are incredibly pervasive. 

I myself have made comments about the weight and appearance of others but this is due to a personal preference or opinion of mine. In these comments I am never trying to send the message that my thoughts about a particular person applies to anyone else, or women in general. This is why I take issue with these other posts. 

Regardless of body type no woman should be made to feel badly about how she looks. I don't personally take offense to either campaign, but I did raise an eyebrow seeing the lack of variety in both. 

The second image posted however does irritate me as it is one of many similar images that have a negative feel to them about what is deemed to be attractive. I don't care who they are saying is more attractive that whoever else, I just hate the judgement and that is feels like it is trying to send a message to women about how they should look.

I like the body positive campaigns, even though they aren't perfect its a nice step in the right direction.

Regardless of how you look, your weight, your body type, your flaws, learn to your yourself.