Why Don't We Celebrate Mom Bods?
A trend that surfaced in 2015 is that of the "dad bod". This trend focused on average looking men and celebrated them for being just that. As the NY Daily News states, "No need to lose the beer belly, fellas: Women are lusting after dudes with "dad bods" - a little extra gut around the middle." The article continues on to quote various women whose statements range from dad bods show that that man has fun and it makes men seem less narcissistic. This trend actually became a thing due to an Odyssey article that was written by Mackenzie Pearson. Her article has been shared close to 500,000 times. Men have thanked her for bringing a newfound sense of confidence.
The problem with this trend is the fact that there has never been a celebration for "mom bods". If we're using the same mindset, no woman has ever been celebrated for having a little extra gut around the middle. In fact, they're shamed if they don't have this picture perfect beach body that we see in the media constantly. I decided to look up mom bod and found some interesting definitions on Urban Dictionary. One definition reads, "A woman who looks like they just had a kid. They have the attributes of saggy titts, flat ass, hair in a bun at all times and a resting birch (bitch) face. Lastly they have at least one kid." Rather than even acknowledge this comment, I will continue to the second definition. "Chick that was hot befor she had a baby and is still banging even after she has had a baby, just her hips are a little wider, but damn do they make them yoga pants look good!" Both of these comments aren't nearly as warm as the connotation for a dad bod is. The first is clearly degrading. The second only compliments a woman who's "wider hips" look good in yoga pants, therefore, sexualizing her.
The problem with this trend is the fact that there has never been a celebration for "mom bods". If we're using the same mindset, no woman has ever been celebrated for having a little extra gut around the middle. In fact, they're shamed if they don't have this picture perfect beach body that we see in the media constantly. I decided to look up mom bod and found some interesting definitions on Urban Dictionary. One definition reads, "A woman who looks like they just had a kid. They have the attributes of saggy titts, flat ass, hair in a bun at all times and a resting birch (bitch) face. Lastly they have at least one kid." Rather than even acknowledge this comment, I will continue to the second definition. "Chick that was hot befor she had a baby and is still banging even after she has had a baby, just her hips are a little wider, but damn do they make them yoga pants look good!" Both of these comments aren't nearly as warm as the connotation for a dad bod is. The first is clearly degrading. The second only compliments a woman who's "wider hips" look good in yoga pants, therefore, sexualizing her.
Women's bodies are heavily policed, more so than men's bodies. Of course men still face scrutiny but the fact is, men's bodies are more easily accepted. In conclusion, women carry another human inside of them and face criticism if they don't automatically lose the baby weight. Men are congratulated for doing nothing.
An excellent, well-written post on the need for acceptance of "mom bods"! Thank you for discussing this topic in class on Thursday! Well done! 12/10 JM
ReplyDelete