Weight discrimination as a form of social prejudice

Weight Discrimination

The Damaging Potential of Weight Discrimination

The United States has always been plagued with discrimination and prejudice. The Democratic principles of our nation have not always protected those who did not fit into the norm. Racism and homophobia are typically what one thinks of when we think of discrimination; however, people who are overweight are ridiculed and discriminated in much more public and overt ways.

Weight Discrimination is learned just as is other forms of racism and homophobia. We, as a society, teach our children to dislike those who are not the ideal weight or color. People with weight problems cannot hide what causes them to be ridiculed. Unlike homosexuals, "All fat people are 'outed' by their appearance," (Coleman 202). Blatant and public assaults, both verbal and physical, are more accepted in cases of weight discrimination. Overweight people deal with overt discrimination on a daily basis. Children and adults judge the overweight with similar disgust.

Many overweight people refrain from normal daily activities. Thousands are afraid to eat and wear what they want in public, "(Coleman 203). Many people find it near impossible to loose significant weight. Heredity is a major cause of obesity, which makes loosing weight extremely hard. Another deterrent for physical exercise is the ridicule many overweight people receive when they are out in public exercising.