Teen girl launches
petition for Disney to create a plus-size princess - but is that an unhealthy
ideal too?
- High schooler Jewel Moore says Disney has the power to influence girls' confidence, and a plus-size princess would be a positive role model
- But some have argued that the focus needs to be on having 'normal' princesses with realistic and healthy dimensions instead
PUBLISHED: 16:03 GMT, 31 January 2014 | UPDATED: 17:11 GMT, 31 January 2014
A teenage
girl has launched a petition for Disney to make a plus-size princess in the
wake of controversy over whether the company promotes an unrealistic feminine
ideal.
Jewel
Moore, a high school junior from Farmville, Virginia, wrote on her Change.org page
that since Disney has such a huge influence on young girls, it should create a
princess with a curvy body to 'show support to a group of girls who are
otherwise horrendously bullied by the media.'
But while
many have praised her for trying to put a stop to body shaming, others have
questioned whether a 'plus-size' princess - rather than simply a normal-size
one - is a step in the wrong direction.
Fighting
for a cause: Jewel Moore, a high school junior from Farmville, Virginia, who
describes herself as 'plus-size', has launched a Change.org petition for Disney
to create a plus-size princess
Body
image: Citing the unrealistically skinny proportions of princesses like Ariel
(left) and Jasmine (right), she says Disney should 'show support to a group of
girls who are otherwise horrendously bullied by the media'
Jewel's
petition, which has amassed 861 signatures so far, bears the title: 'Every body
is beautiful'.
She
writes that she created the page 'because I'm a plus-size young woman, and I
know many plus-size girls and women who struggle with confidence and need a
positive plus-size character in the media.'
Citing
research that 'a child's confidence correlates greatly with how much
representation they have in the media,' she says a plus-size Disney princess
would be a positive step towards body acceptance.
Many
commenters have agreed with Jewel, leaving comments on the Change.org page to
express their opinion.
Equality:
Jewel's petition, which has amassed 861 signatures so far, bears the title:
'Every body is beautiful'
Every
body is beautiful: She wrote on the page: 'I'm a plus-size young woman, and I
know many plus-size girls and women who struggle with confidence and need a
positive plus-size character in the media'
'If young
girls see that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, they can change how
society views it,' wrote one supporter
Another
said: 'Having dealt with being overweight my entire life, I think that it would
be great for Disney to make a more realistic princess for young girls to look
up to.'
But some
have taken issue with Jewel's emphasis on 'plus-size', asserting that the focus
needs to be on having 'normal' princesses with realistic and healthy dimensions
instead.
Misguided?
While many have supported her petition, some have taken issue with her emphasis
on 'plus-size', saying the focus needs to be on having 'normal' princesses with
realistic and healthy dimensions instead
One
parent wrote on CafeMom.com: 'Why do
princesses have to be either weirdly skinny or plus size? Are there any
petitions for normal sized princesses?'
'If girls are THAT impressionable I wouldn't want
them looking up to overweight princesses'
The
sentiment was shared by another mother, who said: 'Understandable. But at the
same time do we want our daughters idolizing a plus sized princess either?
'If girls
are THAT impressionable then I really wouldn't want them looking up to overweight
princesses or idols. Why not just average sized? Not fat, not skinny.'
News Article Fort Frances Times
Obesity
activity encouraged by 'plus-size' push for Disney princesses
Friday, 7
February 2014 - 11:54am
By Duane
Hicks
A
regional obesity activist is elated by a recent campaign by a U.S. teen girl’s
to get Disney to create a “plus-size” princess.
Paul Murphy, founder of Obesity Thunder Bay (www.obesitythunderbay.ning.com), applauded the efforts of Jewel Moore, a high school junior from Farmville, Va., who last week started a petition stating that since Disney has such a big influence on young girls, the mega-company should create a princess with a curvy body to “show support to a group of girls who are otherwise horrendously bullied by the media.”
Paul Murphy, founder of Obesity Thunder Bay (www.obesitythunderbay.ning.com), applauded the efforts of Jewel Moore, a high school junior from Farmville, Va., who last week started a petition stating that since Disney has such a big influence on young girls, the mega-company should create a princess with a curvy body to “show support to a group of girls who are otherwise horrendously bullied by the media.”
On
change.org, Moore wrote that she created the petition “because I’m a plus-size
young woman, and I know many plus-size girls and women who struggle with
confidence and need a positive plus-size character in the media.”
Moore’s petition, which has amassed more than 22,000 signatures since late last week, bears the title, “Every body is beautiful.”
“I really think that it opens up further dialogue,” said Murphy, noting someone from Denmark made a video about Moore’s campaign and this also is attracting views like wildfire.
“It opens the door. It’s such an exciting time,” he added.
“Last week I just couldn’t have crafted a better week with regard to people talking about the complex issue of community health.
“This Jewel Moore, her efforts, are just the icing on the cake,” noted Murphy. “This is a young girl who is standing up for other young girls against the media messages they’re receiving.”
Moore’s petition can be found online.
Murphy has campaign relentlessly over the past five years to get Northwestern Ontario talking about community health and obesity, and has made some headway in a world which more and more is talking about healthy eating and body acceptance.
In addition to participating in various community discussions in the Thunder Bay area, Murphy attended a conference in Vancouver last May and will be participating online in a health conference at the University of Guelph in the near future.
He also remains very active online at www.obesitythunderbay.ca, which offers links to videos and articles, as well as online discussions via Twitter and Facebook.
Meanwhile, countries such as Mexico are implementing a soda tax to urge people to drink healthy beverages while states and cities such as Massachusetts and San Francisco have approved candy taxes.
Moore’s petition, which has amassed more than 22,000 signatures since late last week, bears the title, “Every body is beautiful.”
“I really think that it opens up further dialogue,” said Murphy, noting someone from Denmark made a video about Moore’s campaign and this also is attracting views like wildfire.
“It opens the door. It’s such an exciting time,” he added.
“Last week I just couldn’t have crafted a better week with regard to people talking about the complex issue of community health.
“This Jewel Moore, her efforts, are just the icing on the cake,” noted Murphy. “This is a young girl who is standing up for other young girls against the media messages they’re receiving.”
Moore’s petition can be found online.
Murphy has campaign relentlessly over the past five years to get Northwestern Ontario talking about community health and obesity, and has made some headway in a world which more and more is talking about healthy eating and body acceptance.
In addition to participating in various community discussions in the Thunder Bay area, Murphy attended a conference in Vancouver last May and will be participating online in a health conference at the University of Guelph in the near future.
He also remains very active online at www.obesitythunderbay.ca, which offers links to videos and articles, as well as online discussions via Twitter and Facebook.
Meanwhile, countries such as Mexico are implementing a soda tax to urge people to drink healthy beverages while states and cities such as Massachusetts and San Francisco have approved candy taxes.
At the same time, shocking statistics about teen suicide, such as the Toronto District School Board being aware of about 700 suicide attempts made by students in the last school year, is putting the spotlight on issues of depression, bullying, and self-image.
All of this ties into Obesity Thunder Bay’s mandate to effect social change through advocacy, research, education, and the elimination of unhealthy environments.
Murphy stressed he and other Obesity Thunder Bay members aren’t about promoting weight loss, but rather a conversation about body image, healthy communities, and healthy individuals.
“We need to promote dignity and acceptance,” he remarked.
“We have to talk about inclusion.”
»
Update-29,360 Signatures as of Feb. 14, 2014
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