Closing the gap

Have an opinion? Let us know with a letter to the editors!

Have an opinion? Let us know with a letter to the editors!

Just when you think there hasn’t been an inch of the female body that has failed to be objectified in some way, along comes another body obsession.

The latest weight loss craze that has been sweeping the nation and influencing young women is known as the ‘thigh gap’.  This new craze consists of attaining a clear space, or gap, that can be seen between the thighs when a girl is standing with her knees together.

Social media sites such as Tumblr, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter have followers who flood them with images of thigh gaps, defined collarbones and confidence-crushing messages disguised as “inspiration” for staying thin.

Little do these women know, this trend is unobtainable and women who do have a thigh gap have been born with that specific bone structure. In fact, any number of factors play into whether a woman has a significant thigh gap, including genetics, ethnicity, pelvic size and width.

Weight loss is proportional to one’s body size, so most girls who don’t have a natural distinct gap would have to lose a significant amount of weight to achieve the kind of thighs coveted on social media.

The quest for a thigh gap and a perfect body is an unrealistic obsession that can be dangerous and lead to depression amd suicidal behavior, as well as to severe eating disorders, which can cause lasting brain and bone damage. I beg you all to quit striving for a thigh gap – if you really want a gap then be a proud owner of two chicken thighs lightly coated in batter and cooked to a golden brown.  

Love your body and yourself enough to embrace the peephole between your thighs and the gift of true beauty. Leave the thigh gap to Barbie.