Do larger women have a place in media?

[lord_quake]

It came to my attention earlier that a lot of my friends actually think that one of my main characters is too fat (i.e. Meghan).
I'm actually kind of appauled be the idea that Meghan (who is only slightly larger than my main female character Cassandra) is too fat. I put hours of work into coming up with a unique look and characteristics... if I went

Comments

[taru_sama]

Grr I hate these ads!

Anyway, on to the topic: Media in general these days states that a slim, fit woman is ideal for the public eye. It's clearly seen on magazines, movie posters and on TV. Any sign of fat or flab is only associated with old, crazy, obese or evil characters. "No", according to girly magazines, "Got flab? Then we shun you from society?"

Your Meghan is not unhealthily fat (isn't she?), she just has a different body shape - Just like every individual. The way I see it: There is nothing wrong with anyone's body shape, unless it is an actual health problem.

[lord_quake]

What about people who are generally too fat? do you think they deserve some media time?

I mean Meghan isn't fat... she could go into one of those model shows and gawk at her because of her really nice figure... although that is debatable, since she is kind of fat (More so voluptuous).

[kawaii_mon]

Pfft, she is so not fat. She's just a person who is naturally not thin or skinny, but she still looks healthy and attractive.

[lord_quake]

Lol that's what I tried to explain to the few people who put Meghan down. I think it comes down to the fact that her breasts are too big (in most peoples opinions) and her thighs are too big. One of my female friends thought she was exceptionally ugly just because of the size of her thighs -_-;

wow some people have weird concepts on what's beautiful and what's ugly... then again I do too :)

[kawaii_mon]

A woman's perception of beauty is usually in comparison to their own I have found. :S
I personally think beauty is a lot about confidence and she has that air about her which I think is rather attractive, if not sexy. A person can be a skinny stick or 150 kilos, but if they both carry themselves with a certain confidence, then they can both be just as attractive as the other.

[lord_quake]

Exactly the point I'm trying to make with Meghan in my fiction :)

In my first story about her, she was very flirtacious... but she had a downfall. She personally doesn't think she's as attractive as she is (either personality wise or physically).
Meghan thinks she's meant to be a lot prettier, and even sexier. The problem is, if she actually looked in the mirror (metaphorically speaking) she would realise that she is as beautiful as any of my characters and loved by them all. She oneday does figure out how beautiful she is, and is exceptionally happy from that moment on (it's like she's found herself a new kind of).

Either way, I think we're all a bit silly when it comes to what looks nice and what doesn't... especially when we look at our own appearance... Not that I can say anything good about myself ^^

[kittytoes]

I think you answered your own question -- if you changed her it would ruin the character you created.
Our bodies have a lot to do with the way we present ourselves and are perceived, so its natural that her figure has played into your characterization. Voluptuous women can be quite beautiful and sexy (ask any connoisseur of burlesque). Tell your friends to not be petty :P

[doll_paparazzi]

Ignore them. What... like there aren't any larger women in the world?

Also, Dove is running ads about "real women" using all sorts of sized women world wide. You may want to research that.

[ikomitsu]

Different people have different opinions, how can you suit all their tastes?
So...don't worry about the other people's opinions, if you are satisfy with her, just remind her like this! =D
I think it's still okay though her breasts are a little bit too big...however, I really think that her thigts are too fat for her...XD