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by uneekname·4y ago·view on hn ↗
> there are absolutely people that fit so-called unrealistic body standards

This statement represents a common misunderstanding of what body standards are. Our culture is a toxic environment for women because they feel pressure to look and act in ways that are considered beautiful and feminine. I hope we can agree that women who don't happen to fit the beauty standards of the day (which is, from what I can tell, impossible anyways) should not be valued less in our society. Yet, they are: women who are traditionally beautiful are treated differently in our culture.

> it doesn't seem to matter

Oh but it does! Sexism is a serious issue. I'd be happy to point you to some references on the topic.

One representation of a woman in media really isn't a big deal, but when they are all white, extremely skinny, have large breasts, etc. it becomes pretty cringey.

Here is a summary I found that outlines some of the ways women are objectified in comic books. It talks about how they are overly-sexualized and drawn in impossible positions that female readers often find awkward and demeaning. [0]

[0] https://cah.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2019/10/KWS1...

1 comments
Thanks for that explanation, it’s hard for me to relate to the effect of this as muscular men figures in tights are unrealistic as well and also coveted by a population. Representation of non-white characters being similarly low as well (this latter point being seen as a problem)

Not aiming to dilute the point or compete on oppression.

I just can’t relate to the mental condition of feeling like I need to look like those figures, at all or to my detriment, especially to the extent that the existence of those figures are the problem and not my mental state being the problem.

Is there any more background I can read to understand this gendered peculiarity more?