Pros And Cons Of Underweight Models

While models show off their best poses for magazines and on the runway, they also pose a threat to society. The thinness of some models has been a heated debate topic for many years, and has prompted some countries to ban underweight models in an attempt to eliminate the effects of viewing them. However, it is unclear as to whether this ban actually affects the number of eating disorders and mental health issues. Some argue the ban may actually “deprive people of their livelihood” (anonymous). Various opinions and arguments have led to the belief that models should be barred from working if their mental or physical health is dangerous to themselves, rather than it be based on weight alone. Until the late 1980s and early 90s, models “boasted healthy weights and curvaceous figures” (Gordon, 2016), but the world first saw underweight models in the mid 1990s when designers like Calvin Klein and Matsuda started to glamorize emaciated bodies. This trend became known as “heroin chic”, and supermodel Kate Moss became “the poster girl for the movement” (Gordon, 2016). Since then, designers have embraced the trend of hollow eyes and bodies that are wasting away, glorifying size zero women. Even male models are becoming part of a “geek chic” trend, where they “‘...are proud to be unhealthy, because they live virtually’” (Jones, 2017). Young boys, who are generally considered to be less impressionable than girls, …show more content…
There are many reasons to advocate the new laws, some even ranging as far as changing the world view on what is considered healthy and beautiful. However, the ban would not pass in the United States because of the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and press. Though it may come across as a way to solve the growing issues revolving around anorexia nervosa and bulimia, it would not be legal to pass such laws in the United