By Linda Wang

Humor Editor

In recent years, the body positive mindset and the idea that “all bodies are beautiful” has grown in popularity — an idea that considers the human body an object of beauty, which others can look at and admire. However, criticism about the body positivity movement has come to light, with figures speaking out against its objectifying nature, toxic positivity, and its highlighting of conventionally beautiful bodies. As a response, body neutrality has become popular in place of body positivity. 

Body neutrality, in contrast to the idea of inherent beauty and a third perspective, focuses on the function of the human body. For example, instead of appreciating one’s hips as curvaceous and pleasing, a body neutral mindset would be grateful for their function in a person’s ability to walk and run. Body neutrality can, and has, been a saving grace for those with unconventionally attractive bodies who may find it difficult to derive worth from their appearance alone. 

However, body neutrality contains its own shortcomings because of its assumption of function and ideas of detachment. It is not an end-all solution to a positive perception of one’s own self, and a positive perception may not even hold value in the end. As body neutrality assumes a positive function and perspective attached to the body, disabled people and transgender people may not find body neutrality helpful. A person can find gratitude in their thighs, whether fat or thin, because their thighs help the person to run — if the person is able-bodied and can run. A person can appreciate their eyes, whether almond shaped, slanted, or monolided, because their eyes can see — if the person is sighted. The focus on the physical workings causes body neutrality to exclude the physically disabled and chronically ill, whose organs, limbs, and physical features either cannot work or actively cause pain to themselves. 

In addition, body neutrality presents challenges to transgender or other gender non-conforming people whose gender identity clashes with the bodies they were born with. A transgender man may struggle to accept his natural chest, even more so if he experiences body dysphoria, which many transgender people do. 

Furthermore, body neutrality’s foundation is based on detachment, which can invalidate people whose experiences with their body significantly affect their perspective. People of color, fat people, and disabled people, whose bodies the mainstream has historically viewed as unattractive, can find it difficult to disconnect themselves from their bodies’ physical appearance. Their bodies will continuously affect how others view them and make assumptions about them. 

While body neutrality has its downsides, none of these points are meant to invalidate people whose experiences with body neutrality healed their perception of their bodies. Some people find a great sense of peace in accepting their bodies for their function; for others who want to cherish their bodies for their physical features, body positivity can still be a better option. Finally, the argument exists that we don’t need to accept or find happiness in our bodies at all, if a person can still live comfortably with their self worth. There is no need to feel shame if you feel that body neutrality does not work for you, and any way of viewing oneself holds validity.

(Sources: Allure, Retail Wire)