Lois Abraham

I think most of us who are not slim do not understand the reality of being slim in a country that strongly praises being thick. You can look in the mirror, see a soft curve, and still feel like it is not enough because you are constantly told that being slim equals being straight and that is something to fix. There is also the everyday struggle people don’t talk about having to search endlessly for your size, not finding it, and constantly tailoring clothes just to feel like they fit your body properly. And beyond that, there are the comments. Being called flat, a broomstick, a twig. Being mocked for your neckline or lack of curves. Even being sexualized in uncomfortable ways, like your body is something to joke about. These things affect how you see yourself over time. What makes it harder is when those experiences are dismissed, especially by women like ourselves, as if slim women cannot be hurt because of beauty standards. Yes, fat women face very real and harsh body-shaming too, and that should never be ignored. But that does not mean slim women are not also dealing with pressure, criticism, and insecurity. It also needs to be said that the label “fat” is sometimes used very loosely. A lot of people who call themselves fat are actually thick or still within what many African contexts would see as attractive. And it shows how extreme beauty standards have become, where people are increasingly dissatisfied with bodies that are not even outside the range of what is socially desired. This whole idea and mindset that only one group can be the “real” victim, is what has led you people into invalidating others instead of understanding them. In reality, we are dealing with the same beauty standard from different sides. We are on opposite ends of the same beauty standard system, and it harms all of us in different ways.

How so?

What kind of a parent do you aspire to be?

I was bullied throughout. Now, I have added weight and the only thing I have been hearing since I added weight is " see your cheeks", "see how fat you have become", "watch what you eat o so you don't triple in size". Mind you, I'm not even that "fat" oo

Mind you, size 4/6 dey market but size 22 na torch light you go on to find your size when it comes to skimpy dresses. Beauty standards size no even dey market lmaooo

You guys do not know the reality of being a slim girl in Nigeria where being thick is the beauty standard that's why you keep invalidating our experiences

You guys do not know the reality of being a slim girl in Nigeria where being thick is the beauty standard that's why you keep invalidating our experiences

this is the most confusing thing about nigeria. we dont like fat (and I'm including thick) and we don't like slim. in a way its like we cant stand for anything, good or bad

NONE especially in Nigeria.

You guys do not know the reality of being a slim girl in Nigeria where being thick is the beauty standard that's why you keep invalidating our experiences

You guys do not know the reality of being a slim girl in Nigeria where being thick is the beauty standard that's why you keep invalidating our experiences

🌚… I don’t think there’s a beauty standard for women in Nigeria. If you’re fine, you’re fine. Nigerian men have a broad range of features they are attracted to and there’s more than enough attention to go around.

While Fat shaming is systemic, let’s not pretend skinny is the beauty standard here. It has never been.

I hate slim girls like this Just unnecessarily mean for no reason. The type of girls you don’t want to be friends with or be around. Nobody women call you this as a slur. Being slim is beauty standard. Being fat is like murder please i’m tired