US college earns dad and mom’ ire after providing shapewear to sort out physique picture points in women

A US college’s try to deal with physique picture points confronted by adolescent women backfired after it rubbed each dad and mom’ and college students the flawed method.

Southaven Middle School within the state of Mississippi landed in scorching water after it despatched a letter providing dad and mom the choice to consent to their daughters receiving “healthy literature” and shapewear objects.”We, the counselors of Southhaven Middle School, would like to have an opportunity to offer some healthy literature to your daughter on maintaining a positive body image. We are also providing girls with shapewear, bras, and other health products if applicable,” the letter reads.Shapewear for women, worn underneath clothes, are designed to contour the body and give the impression that the wearer has a sculpted figure that conforms to conventional beauty standards.The school’s letter titled, “Why Do Girls Suffer from Body Image?” has left many dad and mom outraged and in disbelief.In an offended rant on Facebook, Ashley Wells Huen, the mom of a 13-year-old lady learning in Southaven Middle School, stated she was “beyond pissed” on the college authorities’ ignorance and lack of sensitivity.“So you begin this masterpiece detailing how damaging a negative body image is for girls, how the stress of conforming to an impossible perceived image can adversely affect their mental health, and then OFFER TO GIVE THEM SPANX [an underwear/shapewear brand] SO THEY CAN BETTER FIT THE PERCEIVED IMAGE?” writes Wells Huen.”How… are you promoting a positive body image by saying ‘here, you’re too fat. You need shapewear to make you look thinner’,” she demanded.Wells Huen’s post went viral and elicited a host of reactions and responses from netizens, who were united in their condemnation of the school’s plan.”I am in utter disbelief that those entrusted as counselors to impressionable young women would perpetuate this completely atrocious information,” wrote a Facebook commenter.”This is unacceptable. This is going to do so much more harm than good,” said another.”Kids don’t need shapewear. If a child is from a family who can’t afford to purchase bras, that’s one thing. But shapewear? This is shameful and needs to be called out immediately (sic),” a Twitter user chimed in.Following the backlash, the school hastily backtracked and said it had nothing but “good intentions”. The proposed programme providing wholesome literature and shapewear was instantly cancelled.In a written assertion, Lauren Margeson, DeSoto County School’s govt administrative assistant to the superintendent, stated, “The district has been made aware of the parental permission form sent to parents by Southaven Middle School. District officials understand how this type of information causes serious concern from parents.”READ | Arjun Kapoor on physique shaming: India has points with color, dimension, structureALSO READ | Amid protests, Kozhikode college welcomes gender-neutral uniforms