What does thin privilege mean?

[MrsAnamCara]

I've seen a few posts on social media about it, what does it mean? Is it related to the health at any size movement that I've heard about?

Is it about societal created standards and a real thing or theory?

TIA

I’d say it’s both societal created and theory- the idea that it’s easier being thin- less judgmental, more acceptance that you are prettier, healthier, more acceptable to society and less judged than a larger person

Not getting fat shamed?

At least it’s a better alternative to the awful “fat shamed”. Everything seems to be “something shamed” these days. So boring.

Thin privilege includes things like being more likely to be successful in a job interview than a similarly experienced/qualified fat person.

Not being judged/openly shamed for eating something deemed less than healthy/essential.

I experience thin privilege (amongst other privileges).

I catch myself colluding in it too. And try to readjust my attitude.

Essentially the same message as white privilege. A thinner person will get advantages in life not afforded to a fatter person. More likely to succeed in job interviews, have positive social interaction etc. Numerous benefits that a thin person may not even be aware have been conferred upon them through the distinction of being slim.

I don't know how true or pervasive it is. But that's the idea.

I think thin people are seen as more successful, more middle-class, etc. There's a lot of privilege attached to being thin.

Never heard of it.

I don't disbelieve it but it's never benefited me personally. I wonder why. I feel I should have got jobs more easily, a love life of some description. But maybe that's cos I'm short. Maybe thin privilege only kicks in if you're tall?

I haven’t heard of this. I don’t understand how people could argue about the idea of ‘privilege’ when it is arguably something you can change (as opposed to race which cannot be changed).

Thin privilege isn't the same as white privilege because you cannot change your skin colour but you can change your weight. Surely?

arguably

Indeed. Arguably.

It's just another symptom of whiny society where everything is someone else's fault.

Fat and unemployed? Must be skinny people who need to check their privilege. Female and didn't get a promotion? Must be misogyny.

Couldn't agree more @ShirleyPhallus

Another invented "issue"

What about the majority of "average" sized people?

I get it - there is most probably a positive bias towards relatively thin people in job interviews etc.
But weight is something you can change as opposed to race or height. And most people have to work at it to stay thin so it’s hardly a privelage in the same way.
I work my ass off to stay relatively thin so I resent it being suggested it’s a privelage afforded to me.

I’ve been fat and thin and I’ve never been treated any differently by any one.

I'm with Shirley - all this ridiculous shaming business has gone on long enough.

Daily mail I would have guessed the category is aimed at more thin - average size and only excluding those that are overweight.

I’m thin and I have no idea if over every experienced it or not. How would you know that’s why you got a job for example ?

I interview a lot of people in my job and I am genuinly not interested in their weight at all

That’s interesting.

I did some online courses on unconscious bias. The usual stuff on race and gender. But fuck me the test that confounded me and showed quite a bit of bias was the one looking at my inbuilt prejudices against fatness.

So I believe this.

After losing 6.5 stone I was pretty astounded at how differently I was treated, sometimes in tiny ways but they added up to a lot.

I think a lot of people misunderstand privilege and what you are meant to do about it - of course you can be white, slim and middle class and not have it easy and privilege doesn't mean sitting around feeling guilty, but using your understanding as a guide not to judge others or to recognise reasons why others may have certain experiences and how this might be changed.

Being slim is not necessarily permanent in the way that being black isn't, but it is a bit like being poor - not always as easy in real life as it is on paper, because of your experiences, many of which may have come from your lack of privilege.

It's just another symptom of whiny society where everything is someone else's fault.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I've been fat and thin, and was definitely treated differently. I got a lot more positive attention when I was slim - I don't (just) mean from men but in general, I got better service in shops and restaurants, more people spoke to me at bus stops etc, I seemed to make friends more easily. I felt I was taken much more seriously, in my relationships and at work. I don't think it was because I was happier or more confident or whatever because I was actually suffering with an eating disorder and depression. I've since got fat again and have noticed the difference.

How is it a privilege? You have to eat less and move more to be thin. Read the thread on the woman who ahd a revelation the weekend she spent with thin people. She realised she ate far more than they did. you cant change you sex or your race. You cant become a white male and experience white male Privilege if you werent born one. But you can change you weight. Surely thin privilege is just an excuse as nobody needs to be fat.

I commented on that thread. I’m still not not certain that I do eat that much less/better and move more than other people.

There’s been studies that show a bias. I realise that much. I’m not sure if I experience thin privilege or not.

All the people saying “I’ve never noticed” well if it was because of something not happening so to speak - how would you even know ?