A Society of Extremes

What is going on in our society?! I just read the articles due March 30th, which spoke about the obesity epidemic that is plaguing our nation. "Never Too Rich... Or Too Thin: The Role of Stigma in the Social Construction of Anorexia Nervosa" by Karen Way demonstrates the far opposite end of the spectrum. Eating disorders have become another prevalent issue in today's society, to the point where the lines between what is "normal" and what is "anorexia" have become vastly blurred. True, it is normal for women to worry about their weights and their appearances, but it seems as though this level of vigilance has exceeded what is healthy. This fact makes sense too - Miss America Pageant contestants and Playboy models have both gotten smaller, while the average woman has gotten heavier. In fact, even Marilyn Monroe would be considered heavy today! When a woman compares herself to the women in a magazine, it is no wonder that she feels insecure, unworthy.

Additionally, women are concerned with fitting in with what is socially acceptable in regard to their appearances. They feel compelled to meet social norms, and fear rejection if they can't do this. Women who are overweight are often connected with negative stigmas - of being lazy, incapable, and less intelligent. Also, they have lower life chances and a smaller chance of getting married. Who wants this fate that comes along with being overweight? This is where anorexia and bulimia stem from - the idea that being thin is superior in every aspect of life.

In a society where approximately one in five individuals is obese, and up to twenty percent of people have eating disorders, how is it even possible to define what is normal? How is it possible that we can be both more overweight than ever, and also more food conscious and more prone to eating disorders than ever? How do we fix this society of extremes that we've created?