Supporting young people to embrace their bodies often means coming to terms with your own relationship with your body. If you’ve decided it’s time to bid farewell to body dissatisfaction and negativity, chances are you’ve come across some pretty polarising options online: either radically love your body, or stop focusing on it all together.
When it comes to reframing how people think about their bodies, there are two common schools of thought: body positivity and body neutrality. These concepts are often misrepresented online (ahem, #BoPo), so let’s break them down and see if the options are as black and white as they may seem.
Firstly, let’s go back to basics: what is body image?
Body image refers to the thoughts and feelings that people have about their bodies, and the behaviours they engage in as a result. Body image is often misunderstood as what one’s body looks like. However, rather than being a representation of our physical appearance, body image is actually the feelings, thoughts and perceptions we have about our bodies.
Body image is the common thread that connects body positivity and body neutrality.
What is body positivity?
Body positivity is a social movement that refers to individuals having a positive and accepting attitude towards their body, regardless of its shape, weight, size or overall appearance. The aim of body positivity is to see all bodies as ‘good’ and celebrate diversity while challenging societal beauty standards and (often westernised) body ideals.
Body positivity might sound like: “I love my wide hips and stretch marks because they are part of my beautiful body and make me unique.”
Where does body positivity originate from?
Although social media might make body positivity appear to be a relatively new concept all about radical self love, the origins of body positivity are more political, and date back to the fat acceptance movement in the 1960s. In 1969, engineer Bill Fabrey founded the National Association to Aid Fat Americans (now known as the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance or NAAFA). Following this, a group of Californian feminists created the Fat Underground in the 1970s. Powered by many other diverse individuals, this collective movement offered an intersectional approach to ending fat-shaming at a systemic level and fostering inclusivity of underrepresented and marginalised bodies (including larger, Black, queer and disabled bodies).
What is body neutrality?
Body neutrality emerged as a distinct alternative to body positivity and refers to individuals adopting a more neutral perspective towards their body. The aim of body neutrality is to encourage people to focus less on their physical appearance and more on what their body can do. This notion suggests that our body is never the most important thing about us.
Body neutrality might sound like: “My wide hips are a natural part of my body and I don’t feel any particular way towards them. My stretch marks are a reminder of how I’ve brought my wonderful children into this world.”
Where does body neutrality originate from?
The origins of body neutrality are lesser known, but it is thought to have been popularised in 2015 by Anne Poirier, a certified intuitive eating counselor and eating disorder specialist. Anne defined body neutrality as “Not supporting the hatred of our vessel (our physical structure) or the love and adoration of our vessel.”
Body positivity vs. body neutrality: which approach is best?
When it comes to your unique relationship with your own body, neither body positivity nor body neutrality are superior to the other. There is no correct way to feel about your body, nor is there a requirement to subscribe to either one – they can coexist. The key is to find the concept (or parts of both) that works best for you and helps you to develop a healthy relationship with yourself and your body.
However, if body positivity feels a little out of reach for you, body neutrality might be a more realistic, achievable option on the road to body acceptance.
How to feel better about your body, regardless of which approach you choose
Regardless of which approach resonates with you more, here are some surefire practices and mindset shifts that all people in all bodies can adopt to improve their body image:
- Celebrate diversity: Remember that every body is worthy of love and respect. There are so many different types of people, looks and bodies – it’s these differences that make our world an exciting place to be. No matter what we look like, we fit in, we are accepted and we belong.
- Focus on functionality: Our bodies are instruments, not ornaments. Bodies are amazing – they help us to move, be creative, experience the world and interact with others. We can trust that our bodies know what they are doing.
- Be kind to yourself (and others): Practice being curious instead of critical of others, and practice self-compassion in terms of your thoughts and actions.
- Find real role models: Seek out content from people who inspire you and that you admire – because of what they are doing and who they are being, rather than what they look like.
You can find more of our tips on improving your body image here.
If you are struggling with your body image, don’t hesitate to seek out the support and guidance of a professional. The Butterfly Foundation Helpline (1800 334 673) is a great place to start.
