Body privilege or pretty privilege is a concept used to examine the economic, social, and political advantages or benefits that are made to both men and women solely based on their physical appearance. In Western societies, the "ideal" body type for men is often characterized by being tall and muscular, while for women, it tends to emphasize thinness and conventional notions of beauty.[citation needed]
Body privilege is a relatively new concept. The term was borrowed from Peggy McIntosh's idea of white privilege and evolved into the idea that privilege could also be based on a person's body size. Samantha Kwan coined the term "body privilege" and explains how it affects some people's everyday life. For example, in some cases a person's body is seen as an indicator of a person's intelligence. A person's body can also be a deciding factor on employment decisions such as hiring and promoting.[1] However, some may say that privilege may only apply in unchangeable circumstances, such as race or gender, and not in cases that are under the control of the influenced. For this reason, the very idea of body privilege remains debated.
The term "body privilege" indicates that there are social benefits to fitting the standard image. Even though the term is a relatively new concept, concepts such as the stigmatization of obesity and sizeism goes far back. In terms of workplace environments, the Uconn Rudd Center found that employees that possess features such as higher body weight often face "unfair hiring practices, lower wages, fewer promotions, harassment from co-workers, and unfair job termination".[2] Alternatively, Kwan also states that physical attractiveness is a determining factor in the hiring process. Those who are deemed as conventionally attractive are stereotyped as individuals who are more intelligent and seen as those who have happier marriages, and generally lead better lives.[3]
Van Amsterdam, N. (2013). Big fat inequalities, thin privilege: An intersectional perspective on 'body size'. European Journal of Woman's Studies. May 2013 (20) 155–169. doi:10.1177/1350506812456461.
“Weight Bias & Stigma.” UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, 17 July 2023, uconnruddcenter.org/.
