Too Thin to Win -- Legislating Against Skinny

A new bill in France threatens fines of up to $47,000 and two-year prison sentences for offenders who encourage "extreme thinness." The legislation, adopted Tuesday by Parliament's lower house, also recommends fines of up to $71,000 and a three-year prison sentence in cases where someone dies of an eating disorder. This legislation cracks down specifically on websites that offer advice to people with eating disorders on how to starve or "thinspiration." However, many speculate that it will be used to target the fashion industry.

In recent years, the media and the fashion industry have been subject to greater scrutiny for promoting an ideal of beauty that is unhealthy. Models in magazines and on runways are increasingly thinner. The tabloids and media scrutinize stars and socialites for being too skinny, yet at the same time they use these same women as role models and image icons. Many people blame the fashion industry for the dramatic rise in eating disorders among women and girls. Critics argue that images of beauty currently being promoted are destructive to society.

In response, two years ago, the organizers of Madrid's fashion week made waves by banning models who were too skinny by standards outlined by the World Health Organization. As an example, an individual who is 5'9" and is 124 lbs or less would be considered underweight. While some industry insiders embraced changes and support the new legislation in France, others have expressed outrage. They claim that new standards discriminate against models and restrict the freedom of the designer. Some go so far to say that changes amount to "politically correct Fascism." Others argue that there is no verifiable proof that the media causes eating disorders.

Does the fashion industry cause eating disorders in young women? Should the courts be responsible for deciding who is too skinny? Should the U.S. consider passing a similar legislation? Could prohibiting content on websites or using images of "excessively thin" women be considered censorship? What does skinniness symbolize? Who is responsible for defining the standard for beauty?

Suggested Readings:

France may make it illegal to promote extreme thinness

France acts to outlaw anorexia Web sites

On the Web: Thinness worship

The Incredible Shrinking Model

Advertising Thinness May Become a Crime in France

For more informaiton, please contact Kristin Millikan at 312.422.5580.

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