Thin Privilege and Misogyny

Thin privilege sort of exists in this weird space.  Because it’s so tied up in the cultural definition of femininity.  Not that men can’t have thin privilege…but it’s not nearly the same.  It always seemed to me to be a sort of backhanded privilege, a reward for staying in your place and not trying to demand real privilege.

Most of you have read this study.  Women are rewarded for being thin in a way men aren’t.  We’ve seen this plenty of times; attractiveness is a much bigger issue for women than for men by an order of magnitude.  Now there’s no question here that thin women do better in the world than fat women here.  (See previously linked study.)  At the same time…it’s the privilege of being reminded, day after day, that your goal in life is to please men.  And you happen to be good at that goal and be rewarded for it.

Thin privilege is hearing “don’t do strength training, you’ll get too muscular and guys don’t like that.”  It’s hearing “you’re too pretty to be queer/trans/other non-normative group.”  It’s being told “well he can’t help himself, you’re just so hot.”  And realizing you just can’t win.

Thin privilege does exist.  Looks privilege does exist.  But it is all too often the privilege of the favored slave.  It’s too often the privilege of pitting women against each other in the societal quest to please men, instead of forging out on their own.

Crossposted from College Feminist Philosopher.