Being called “fat” is a painful insult. So why is that?
Being called “fat” is a truly hurtful insult, and it’s a word that carries significant emotional weight in our society. The impact of this word is rooted in the cultural and social associations we associate with body size and appearance. In the case of Allison Kimmey, a mother of two, her reaction to her daughter’s comment after a day at the pool is a powerful reflection of how we can reshape these associations and foster a healthier understanding of body image and self-acceptance.
When Allison Kimmey was barely 14 years old, she started dieting. She managed to maintain a size two to four throughout graduate school, but it was difficult and she wasn’t happy. Allison realized she would be happier if she allowed herself to stop struggling with weight gain when she reached a size eight three years ago, aged 27.
To keep herself motivated, Allison started an Instagram account @allisonkimmey where she posts pictures and quotes. While Allison’s message of body acceptance inspires and uplifts those who hear it, not everyone does.
Recently, Allison took her son and daughter to the pool.
When it was time to leave, Allison’s child yelled at her and called her fat. According to Allison’s Instagram post:
“I said you were fat, Mom,” she said. I am sorry.
Me: “Let’s discuss this. I’m not fat, that’s true. No one is obese. It’s impossible to be. However, I have fat. We’re all overweight. By giving us energy, it protects our bones and muscles and keeps our bodies functioning. You have fat?
He says, “Yes! I have some on my stomach right now.”
That’s right, I say. I agree, as does your brother.
I have no fat, her brother said. I’m the thinnest. I only have muscles.
Actually, I think everyone in the world is fat. However, our individual amounts vary.
Her sibling: “Oh, I see. I have some to protect my strong muscles! But you have more than I do.”
Yes, it’s true, I said. Some people are incredibly rich while others are not. However, this does not mean that one individual is superior to another. Do you two understand?
Similarly, “Yes, Mom.”
So could you please repeat what I said?
Them: “Yeah! Because you can’t just be fat, I shouldn’t call anyone fat, but everyone has some fat and that’s acceptable.
“Exactly right,” I said.
In addition to wanting to pass on social skills to her children, Allison believed it was essential to spread the idea that everyone is equal, regardless of body type. Her Instagram photo has since become widely shared.
If I punish my kids for using them, Allison says, “I’m proving that it’s a derogatory word and perpetuating the stigma that being fat is undignified, gross, fun, and undesirable.”
Allison’s story and her response to her daughter’s comment have gone viral on the internet because they touch on a universal and deeply relevant issue. In today’s world, concerns about body image, body shaming, and societal pressure to conform to certain beauty standards are prevalent. Allison’s approach offers a ray of hope and a practical example of how we can challenge these norms and raise a generation of individuals who value themselves and others for who they are, rather than what they look like.
In a world where body positivity and self-acceptance are essential conversations, Allison’s story reminds us that change starts with education and open, respectful dialogue. They don’t just teach their children; she teaches us all that everyone is worthy of love and respect, and that’s a message worth sharing far and wide.