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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Ask Edwina Currie to Stop Defining Women by Their Size?

88 replies

AuntyMary · 29/02/2016 09:54

She's attacking women's size and shape again saying that a model (Ashley Graham) is obese and that plus-size women are unhealthy and thus should be removed from public view. Ashley Graham appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition.

Read the Independent article here

OP posts:
Original poster
AuntyMary · 29/02/2016 09:55

Sorry, posted before I had finished writing.

Why do we never see anyone criticising the shape, size and dress-sense of men? Why do we always shame women? Why do we only see women as bodies?

AIBU to be annoyed by this?

OP posts:
CorBlimeyTrousers · 29/02/2016 09:58

Ron you're not. I briefly saw Edwina Curry on TV at the weekend talking about this and I thought she was horrible. She seems the type of person who believes they are 'calling a spade a spade' when in fact they are just incredibly rude. And yes there is so much less focus on men's bodies although I suspect she wouldn't hold back from criticising an overweight man either!

araiba · 29/02/2016 10:04

because men dont give a toss- you tell a fat man hes fat, he agrees and carries with his pie and pint

too many people say they are proud of their size, be it big, small or whatever but then have a breakdown when somebody comments.

if you are at an unhealthy weight, some people will comment. like people who tell smokers that smoking is unhealthy

CorBlimeyTrousers · 29/02/2016 10:11

I don't tell smokers they are unhealthy. I assume they know it's bad for them and have made their own decision to smoke.

capsium · 29/02/2016 10:13

Looking at that model's pictures I doubt she is 'obese', airbrushed to look 'curvy' or not. If the soft appearance of her skin is merely indicating subcutaneous fat, I doubt she is. For her to be obese she would have to be carrying a lot of visceral fat but she looks the wrong sort of shape (not particularly Apple shaped) for that.

And so what if she was obese? Should obese women not go swimming, not be attractive or not be seen in public? How wrong would that be? Hiding people away because they are not in the peak of physical health and fitness is just so wrong. Hiding away, treating as shameful does not help people improve their health.

No wonder people have difficulties with issues surrounding obesity, health, fitness and nutrition. The information we are given is not and has not been straightforward. Never mind all the shaming and 'telling off ' that goes on. It seems Edwina's apparent disgust is suggesting the problem of diabetes is totally self inflicted and shameful when the real issues are pretty complex.

SaucyJack · 29/02/2016 10:13

Meh. I stopped taking anything she had to say seriously after I found out she'd fucked John Major.

Original poster
AuntyMary · 29/02/2016 10:23

Meh. I stopped taking anything she had to say seriously after I found out she'd fucked John Major.

But young girls and teenagers and older will not remember that so they don't know what a stupid woman she is. They'll just see and hear this rubbish.

I'm beyond a size 14 10 and I don a swimsuit to go swimming a couple of times a week. Why should I be ashamed of myself?

OP posts:
Eggsandketchup · 29/02/2016 10:26

Edwina Currie is a bellend of the highest order. I'd like to think even impressionable teenagers wouldn't listen to the shit that comes out of her mouth.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 29/02/2016 10:27

Size 14 is hardly fucking obese!!!!!!. It's because of f attitudes like her's why we an epidemic of eating disorders. She damn well aught to be highly ashamed of herself.Angry

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 29/02/2016 10:29

I'm a size 14 and look fuck all like that - is she an English 14 or an American 14?

I don't disagree with Edwina's comment that they as damaging as size 0 models.

I guess no extreme is good for anyone.

SaucyJack · 29/02/2016 10:30

"Size 14 is hardly fucking obese!!!!!!"

It is if you're very short. True story.

That model mentioned in the OP looked fine tho.

kaitlinktm · 29/02/2016 10:32

if you are at an unhealthy weight, some people will comment

Why? Making negative personal remarks of any kind is rude. Why do people think people need to be told they are fat? They already know! Being fat doesn't make you stupid. Being told you're fat in public won't give you the motivation to lose weight, it's not how it works.

ouryve · 29/02/2016 10:34

Like hell is she a UK 14!

There are two separate issues here.

Saying she's obese: fact, though not necessarily appropriate.
Saying people who are obese shouldn't be in public view: just plain twattish.

angelos02 · 29/02/2016 10:35

I think she is a UK size 18, a USA size 14. Not that it makes any difference.

WorraLiberty · 29/02/2016 10:35

I'd really like to know what the model looks like without the air brushing, but I guess we'll never know.

Either way, I agree with MilkTwoSugarsThanks in that no extreme is good. Although I wouldn't say the model looks extremely overweight in her photos.

That might be down to air brushing or it might not.

capsium · 29/02/2016 10:51

Either way, I agree with MilkTwoSugarsThanks in that no extreme is good

The thing is, in an ideal world, we should accept models of all shapes and sizes as they are representative of people of all shapes and sizes wearing clothes.

We need forget about this stupid idea that models represent the picture of true health. Lots of health issues do not show up in appearances. Added to this people who aren't in ideal health often lead full active lives and should be represented as such. (And even if you don't lead a full active life I'm betting you would probably still wear some sort of clothing so it being modelled on you is still appropriate.)

ShortandSweeter · 29/02/2016 12:30

The model is obese but she seems fine with it. It's not a criticism, just a statement of fact. The issue with most models, IMO, is that it makes people think that it's 'okay' or 'ideal' to be obese/ultra-thin, when in fact it's well documented that being fat/ultra-thin causes health issues.

f1fan2015 · 29/02/2016 12:49

YABU however I do think that our perception of a healthy weight is being altered and that people who are overweight are now considered to be normal and relatively healthy. Being overweight or obese brings so many health problems that could be avoided and, having lost 2 stone due to health issues, life is easier without the extra weight.

My daughter is towards the low end of a healthy weight for her height. You can see her ribs as you should be able to. Here in Brazil, I see a significant amount of overweight children and it makes me question whether my daughter should be fatter and worry she is not eating enough!

f1fan2015 · 29/02/2016 12:51

aargh that should have said YANBU

I want an edit button HQ!

MartinaJ · 29/02/2016 12:53

I had to google Edwina Currie and was a bit surprised. For a woman who looks like she could slice bread just by putting the loaf across her face she is rather brave to judge women by their appearance.

Original poster
AuntyMary · 29/02/2016 13:00

Martina Grin

I think the model is a US 14 and I think she looks fabulous. Rubenesque.

OP posts:
RitaVinTease · 29/02/2016 13:08

Edwina Currie; Salmonella in eggs, shagged John Major. Suddenly now Health and Beauty expert.

VertigoNun · 29/02/2016 13:10

Es win a is telling us all about her internal mind chatter when she comes out with this. It must be tough living in her head.

DoomGloomAndKaboom · 29/02/2016 13:45

If she thinks it's ok to judge women by their appearance, she won't mind me judging her for looking like a witch. Only I wouldn't do that because I don't care what people look like, much.

Still, can someone please just chuck a bucket of water over her?

I think she's trying to be the new Katie Hopkins. Because we need two of her, right?

Edwina Currie has always been a poisonous second fiddle who is all mouth and no substance, with a narcissistic arrogance and a narrow mind. And I use the term "mind" loosely.

Awful awful oxygen thief.

Gothgirl78 · 29/02/2016 13:49

Why is her opinion important?

I saw edwina Currie in panto recently . She was hopeless. Forgot her lines. Les battersby was even better than her !

Her views are irrelevant to most things.