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The majority of respondents felt that there should not be a lower size policy at BBW events. Most felt that by having a lower size policy showed prejudice that they themselves experience and that to create a size accepting society to discriminate against lower size women only creates further prejudice and discrimination. Some felt that if ‘regular’ clubs were to stipulate an upper size there would be an outcry so by club stipulating a lower size were showing prejudice. People are individuals and some feel they are ’big’ and would like to attend BBW events but they would be barred due to being a ‘borderline’ BBW. Most felt if people felt comfortable at BBW events they should be made to feel welcome, this would help breakdown the discrimination towards larger people. Some people would like to attend a BBW event but did not feel comfortable attending alone but would go along if they had support from a friend. However, most of their friends were not BBW’s so therefore they would not be allowed in. This therefore restricts BBW’s who want to join in with these events. Some felt that all should be treated equal, this would exemplify that it is good to be proud of what you are. Not to discriminate against people who are not the same physically.
There were many reasons given by people who felt that is was fair that there was a lower size policy. Some stated that that a BBW event with a lower size policy would create an atmosphere where larger people do not feel that slim people have come to mock them. Most felt that there were plenty of places for slim people to go to and that some BBW’s do not feel confident being with smaller females. Being a BBW event the lower size should be 16/18 or it would defeat the object. BBW events were felt to be held so that male admirers could attend and like-minded people.
CONCULSION
More and more BBW events have stared in the UK. Some stipulate a lower size policy where as others do not. Some larger women find it uncomfortable mixing with smaller women and this can decrease their confidence and how society treats them. By holding exclusive BBW events this can give some support to large women, however, BHM do not seem to be getting the same equal opportunities. Some BHM also too feel uncomfortable with small men and also lack the same confidence that some BBW’s do.
In today’s society there is such a huge emphasis on ‘looking’ good and the media seem to promote the smaller size person as ‘looking’ good. Therefore the reflection on the large person in our society is looked at as bad, ugly and undesirable. The reality is that there are big people within our society who wish to have the same equal opportunities as others and without prejudice. If a faction of society wants acceptance they would also need to be accepting their selves. By continuing societies constructs of segregation, equality cannot be achieved and thereby itself will only create more prejudice and further segregation.
Being accepted as a person for who you are and not for how you look is an important factor in confidence building and self-acceptance. If BBW events were to advertise that the event is primarily for BBW’s and that ‘smaller’ people who are accepting of larger people were invited this would start breaking down the barriers that society impinges on the larger person. It would create an atmosphere whereby all people large and small can enjoy themselves without having to worry about what they look like or if they are being accepted. Size acceptance would be upheld and supported in a positive manner and change can start to happen in our society.
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