Size privilege

This was difficult for me to post. As a fat person, I have a lot of culturally encouraged shame about my body. But I’m working on that. I don’t deserve to be humiliated and degraded because I’m fat. Nobody does.

With Kavalierism’s help, I’ve borrowed from an amazing idea I saw about white privilege (Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack), and written up a few things about size privilege and things that those of ‘normal size’ may for granted. You might not agree with everything on this list, and that’s okay. I am speaking as a white American, so these are very Western-centric. I’ve also probably missed some things that apply (or, more accurately don’t apply) to very thin people, who are also victims of size privilege.

SIZE PRIVILEGE

If I want to go shopping, I can be pretty sure I will find clothing in my size

If I go to the gym, I will see people mostly of my body type

I can buy whatever food I want without being judged for my choices

I can go to the doctor’s office and not have my weight be the focus of our discussion

People will look at me without making negative judgements about my health, lifestyle, or personality based on my size

My weight will most likely not be a factor during job interviews

My motivation level will not be assumed based on my size

Social services and adoption agencies will not take my weight into account when deciding if I am a fit parent

If I open a magazine, turn on a television, or watch a film, I can see people of my size in positive, lead roles

I can be reasonably sure that people will not use my body size as the butt of jokes

I do not need to spend an inordinate amount of time deciding whether a cut of clothing flatters my size

People will probably not make presumptions about my intelligence based on my size

My body type will be viewed as the norm in nearly any social setting

I can be reasonably assured that people will not assume I have an eating disorder, based on my body size

My friends will probably not concern themselves with my health based on my size

I do not have to wonder if my body type is the cause of poor relations with others

If I participate in a physical activity, I will probably not be patronised due to my size

I am never asked to speak for all the people of my size

My decisions about my diet will rarely, if ever, be questioned

I can eat as little or as much as I want without worrying about being judged

I can use public transportation or use public facilities without worrying if there are accommodations for someone my size

People will not question why I am the size I am

If a potential mate rejects me, I usually do not have to wonder if it is because of my size

I can participate in activities without worrying about whether I’m perpetuating a stereotype or not

I do not have to worry about whether someone of my size should be wearing what I’m wearing

I do not have to compensate for my size in other ways to be accepted socially

My femininity or masculinity will not be disparaged based on my size