Fat jokes aren't funny

[1000kw]

I just want to say that since the quarantine has been happening, I have been seeing an awful lot of fat jokes, or self-deprecating body image or weight comments and memes popping up all over my social media feed. Everyone, this just needs to stop. I get that some of us find comfort in humor, but it's never funny nor does it feel good to make fun of yours or someone else's weight or body image. We should be focusing on staying happy and staying healthy. I mean, if you want to criticize your weight behind closed doors cause that makes you happy, whatever, but leave it out of public comments. It can be very damaging and hurt a lot of people to send the message that it's okay to make fun of size. It's never okay.

[1000kw]

Me, too. But I also get that they aren't for everyone and for the most part shouldn't be something we gravitate toward. That said, I think a lot of us are programmed to hate the way we look - slim or not. Plus, how we see ourselves and how others see us are not the same.

It's true. I always get so mad at myself when I start caring too much about how I look. It's so shallow, especially when there are so many other things to care about!

[Mike]

I know people who use them as empowerment, too, and as a coping strategy. I'm not saying it's right, but at the same time, what works for some people doesn't work for everyone. I agree that no one should be ridiculed for their size (slim or large). Making fun of someone isn't funny, ever. It's one thing for a person to crack a joke about themselves and another for them to crack a joke about someone else. I'm not saying it's health to be self-deprecating, what I am saying is that I don't think anyone should support anyone who makes fat jokes or any mean jokes about someone else.

Me, too. But I also get that they aren't for everyone and for the most part shouldn't be something we gravitate toward. That said, I think a lot of us are programmed to hate the way we look - slim or not. Plus, how we see ourselves and how others see us are not the same.

[tammybear]

I don't think all jokes are bad, but I do get what you mean. For the most part, they should be avoided. That said, I know some people who use jokes as a form of self-empowerment.

I know people who use them as empowerment, too, and as a coping strategy. I'm not saying it's right, but at the same time, what works for some people doesn't work for everyone. I agree that no one should be ridiculed for their size (slim or large). Making fun of someone isn't funny, ever. It's one thing for a person to crack a joke about themselves and another for them to crack a joke about someone else. I'm not saying it's health to be self-deprecating, what I am saying is that I don't think anyone should support anyone who makes fat jokes or any mean jokes about someone else.

[Penny]

I don't think all jokes are bad, but I do get what you mean. For the most part, they should be avoided. That said, I know some people who use jokes as a form of self-empowerment.

[Beth]

Yeah, I get what you mean and it's so true. There's been a lot of fat jokes and comments about size since the pandemic, too. It would be better if we were all a bit more positive.

[speeddemon]

Well said 1000kw. The truth is, most people who find this type of humor funny either don't like people who are obese, have grown up in an environment that has made them believe it's okay to make fun of someone's size (theirs included), have a poor self-image, or think a person who is obese or overweight is deserving of ridicule. Regardless of the reason, they all come from a negative place. Down with the weight jokes.

[Maggie]

Very true! You're right. Now that I think about it, there have been a lot of fat jokes and memes and things about being overweight and not wanting to step on the scale, etc. etc.. I never really thought about them as being harmful, but you have a point. There really is no place in fat joke in our society anymore. We really should be beyond that and stop obsessing over size as much. We should actually be caring more about health in general.