gofish2
Active member
- Joined
- 10 Dec 2017
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- 695
A classic double bind - informed health professionals give health message, recipients respond with cries of 'shame'
If it's a choice between being fat and happy, or fat and unhappy, which is better?
Actually there is something to be said for 'reality confrontation' (shaming doesn't work I agree, and I wouldn't suggest it) But there is a point here, which is that we have to say what see, namely that preventing obesity is necessary. Dealing with it through continued education and curbing the parasitic tendencies of those who provide crap for the uninformed/unconcerned/low income to live off.I reckon most overweight people know they are overweight and it's not good for them long term and perhaps aren't strong enough to lose weight in a healthy way.
Being constantly reminded and shamed about it is probably not good for their mental health.
If it's a choice between being fat and happy, or fat and unhappy, which is better?
Parents who allow their children to become truly obese through choice should be prosecuted.
Adults that themselves are fat have to live with the consequences of their own choices, but we should offer education, support and the services of the NHS, as we do to smokers, drinkers, drug-users, serial-STD contractors and any other sufferers of life-style choice conditions. We do that because we are, in the main, a society that cares for all and not for the perfect few.
Fat-shaming, bullying and cruelty do not lead to positive change but they may make the one offering their view feel extra special about themselves and their perfect life.
Parents who allow their children to become truly obese through choice should be prosecuted.
I agree, they should have access to those resources. Should they refuse them or choose not to enact the advice given, then they are making a choice on behalf of another person and should not be able to act with impunity, even if that person is their own child.You could also argue that these people are deserving of 'education, support and the services of the NHS', They would need however, to take personal responsibility and engage with them.
I reckon most overweight people know they are overweight and it's not good for them long term and perhaps aren't strong enough to lose weight in a healthy way.
Being constantly reminded and shamed about it is probably not good for their mental health.
If it's a choice between being fat and happy, or fat and unhappy, which is better?
Does that argument really land, though?The same argument can be used for drug addicts, smokers and alcoholics as well but they get 'shamed' by society.
Does that argument really land, though?
Drug addicts and alcoholics often have a direct negative effect on their families, friends or wider society. Violence and crime are not strangers to many. Even smokers, before the ban, could negatively affect a non smoker. Obese people visually offend many, apparently, but other than that the criminality that can follow the first two groups is absent and therefore the same public condemnation is inappropriate.