Gender: A Perfect Size, or Why I am often skeptical about K-Pop
Much like how I started organizing my thoughts around APA topics two years ago, I’ve recently been more interested in female identity and the unique set of issues girls face. I guess, I could describe it as being “race-blind” before I came to college, and “sex-blind” before this past year? It sounds a little strange, but I mean “blind” in the sense that I was aware, but attached no thoughts or judgments to those aspects of identity, positive or negative.
I recently stumbled upon Thick Dumpling Skin, a blog started by Lynn Chen, an actress who also runs The Actor’s Diet. The blog centers around Asian American body image issues and eating disorders, which is such an important topic that doesn’t get as much attention as I think it deserves. I definitely grew up with pressure from my family (especially extended family), random old ladies in China, media, and even more closer to home, my friends. There is a sense that all Asian girls are 5’1″ and barely over 100 lbs, and the almost excessive obsession with Asian models (especially kpop stars) is very obscuring to girls who want to feel healthy and beautiful but aren’t Size 0.
Much like Asian Americans sometimes find themselves held to two standards (double standards, even), Asian girls face two times the pressure to be small and petite, while also being curvy and sexy in the more traditional American sense. That’s just not possible. Fat deposits don’t work that way. I know of a couple girls who have spoken to me that they would be interested in getting breast implants, or are constantly lamenting their lack of curves. Guys and girls alike look towards role models like SNSD as beautiful women, when they are a group of performers who were chosen not only for their talent, but also their phenotypical qualities.
For the purposes of group cohesion and marketing, even their leg/torso proportions match up. To perform and present themselves well is their profession, and they are put under incredible pressure to maintain their physical shape. Now, I’m not hatin’ on SNSD (they’re talented and cute!) and apparently their trainer has them on a healthy 1,500 calorie diet. But I’ve also seen a lot of ridiculous diets come out of this media culture that involves eating next to nothing.
From my personal standpoint, I’ve felt like there is much less acceptance to body type variation. My friends were always thin and small, and I was the one person with a huge, lumbering metabolism. Most if it is genetics, it’s really hard to do that much. I would eat 1000 calories or less a day, no meat, never drink soda or alcohol, never eat after 8pm, run 3 miles every day, and still, my roommate will sometimes even lose weight on a diet of pizza, late night McDonalds, alcohol, and candy. I don’t know how ethnicities play into health, but I’m guessing by some genetics, many Asian girls can stay slim without trying at all. But for everyone else, it is a constant uphill struggle, made even more difficult by societal pressure.s
So, I’m really happy to see Lynn Chen’s blog. I enjoyed her food blog as well, but the Thick Dumpling Skin blog calls some much needed attention to an issue that is rarely brought up. Not all Asian girls have to deal with this problem. The ones that do, whether it is an imagined problem or not, find it difficult to speak up. I’m glad we have a place to do so now.
P.S. I had never heard of her movie, Saving Face before — I’m going to check it out! Looks interesting, and explores LGBT/generational issues as well. Pretty cool.