Thoughts on Fat Discrimination? Do you agree or disagree that it should be illegal?

Question

Some parts of the US actually made it illegal to discriminate based on weight. There are people who say they do feel discriminated based on their size.
Do you agree with weight being a protected class by law? Do you think this law should apply everywhere, and not just parts of the US?
I'm curious as to how others see this issue.

I personally don't know. I mean, yea I hate the fact that people mistreat overweight people so much that a law is even required. Not sure if I fully agree because unlike the other protected classes, weight can for most people, be controlled. But even then, why should a person have to control their appearance to not be discriminated against?
I also don't really like having the law have to threaten us to treat people who are different like human beings. I'd prefer if people weren't fucking assholes and treated those who are different like actual human beings, with no law telling us to do so. But that's not the world we live in yet, thanks a lot assholes.
Not sure about this.

Thoughts? :)

[IMG] 
Make Fat Discrimination Illegal.

[IMG] 
Don't make Fat Discrimination Illegal

Slavanna · Accepted Answer

A law against that is an overkill. Hate speech regulations are generally applied for the benefit of people who mostly cannot change what they are being mistreated for - race, gender, sexuality or medical conditions, and religion. It's a separate category for me, because you CAN technically convert, but it's such a aspect of many people's identities that bullying them for that is like making fun of their skin colour. Which brings me to obesity - obesity is not skin colour. It's not something you're born with, and the percentage of fat people who are fat because of illnesses is marginal. Most of these people just gorge on McD and expect everyone around them not to notice their 200-pound ass. I'm not saying people should be insulted if they're not doing anything to anyone, hell, I was bullied for being fat as a kid, too. But I started eating less, I got thin and now people just mock me for being a cuckoolander. Now where was I going? Ah, fat people. Well, people are always gonna find reasons to persecute other people, so whenever you can, you should adjust. It's not like being fat is a religion, or a deep-seeded ambition and genius, all of which can make a person stand out in a good way - being fat is just being unhealthy and visually unappealing. So fix that or accept the sad reality of not fitting in. Neither in your social circle, nor into the airplane seat.

kittykatg · Accepted Answer

I don't think they should be mistreated but if their weight interfers with their ability to do the tasks required of a job or they're so big that they have to use two seats on a plane/cost extra gas like extra luggage does then they shouldn't have that job and be required to pay for the extra weight like everyone else does if their suitcase is to big. Weight for most people is something that can be controlled, so it's not anyone else's fault.
I don't think people should get kicked out of clubs or anything like that based on being too big but if it's becoming a problem at work or causes problems with travel, they should be the ones to fix it or deal with it. Everyone else shouldn't have to move or be forced to take a different flight because someone was too big for their seat.

Theguyoverthere · Accepted Answer

It depends on your definition of discrimination. If you got kids laughing at a kid on a playground calling him or her a fatty I think something should be done but what'll end up happening is we'll have yet another "sensitive" issue that'll get to the point where if you even suggest that the person has a healthier diet that you'll get hit up by this "law." Like anything, it'll get taken to an extreme.

These overweight people are gonna cost the healthier people in the long run too. When your insurance company constantly has to cover these overweight people who have diabetes, high blood pressure, and so on just to have them die at a significantly younger age who do you think is gonna have to pay for it? Everyone else and their rates go up as a result of these people. While I'm not a fan of insurance companies taking money for nothing, I'm not a fan of raised rates thanks to how much overweight people end up costing these companies either. So I don't see a point in making an act that indirectly gives the message of "It's ok to eat junk and get fat, you'll be protected" just to lead us into such an issue down the road.

Nuns_in_Heat · Accepted Answer

That would be ridiculous...
I'm so sick of every aspect of obesity acceptance...
I understand some are because of thyroid problems. But it's called an "obesity epidemic" for a reason, because it's bad for you. All making fat discrimination would do is tell the obese that it's okay to be huge. That's B. S. because fat is killing them. The heavier they get the more their heart has to work to pump blood through their body and can cause what @RationalMale said and it will eventually give out on them. I'm not saying we need to be mean to the obese but instead of making it illegal to make them see it's not good for them we should be creating ways for them to shed weight and eat healthier. Like personal trainers that can be paid by your health insurance...

Bottom line is we should be fixing it, not protecting it.

Pariah_Dog · Answer

I don't think fat people are treated well. The "discrimination" they face is usually financially significant, though.

Fat people feel discriminated when they have to pay for more than one seat in a bus, plane, or theater. I think if you're fat enough to need two seats, you should have to pay for two seats. It's less profitable to seat one person in two seats than two separate people.

Fat people feel discriminated against when they're less likely to get hired. However, obesity leads to health problems. They're more likely to miss work, more likely to cost the company a LOT more in health insurance, and in any physically significant job, are less likely to be able to meet the physical demands of the job.

Fat people feel discriminated against when they have to pay more for health insurance, period. Obesity is directly linked to heart disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Fat people pay more because they cost more, pretty much as a rule.

Fat people feel discriminated against when they have to pay extra money for a 3XL shirt. Not only is the shirt bigger (which is a largely insignificant cost, but still there), but they're generally required to be specially ordered, which does cost more money.

I think fat "discrimination" has very real and legitimate reasons for existing. It isn't a good thing by any means, but being obese is almost always the result of poor lifestyle choices, so there's really nobody to blame but themselves.

AdamThomas · Answer

I think it's fucking ridiculous.

Like you said, it can be controlled. All anybody seems to do is make excuses not to sort it out, "it's my metabolism", "I'm big boned" etc. The number of times I've heard that from people who do nothing about it e. g a girl who can't even be bothered to walk to the bus stop about a 10 minute walk away, so she gets taxis everywhere. If people get her to walk to places she constantly complains that it's too far and that she's tired. Then she goes back and eats junk food, fried food, sugary food etc. That's an extreme example, but I've known plenty like her.

An ex of mine used to complain all the time how it wasn't fair, then when I suggested the gym she said she was too tired from work - working at a supermarket til, sat down all day. I work a heavy physical job, always on my feet, fast paced, lifting and carrying heavy boxes about. When I got fat I still got my fat ass to the gym. Then she'd order takeaway pizza almost every single night when she got home, and complain that she couldn't afford healthy food?

It just really annoys me. Everybody wants to play victim these days and have shit handed to them on a silver platter rather than work for it. So no I disagree with it being law. I feel sorry for people who do genuinely struggle for medical reasons, but they're very rare.

If these disabled guys can get themselves in the gym and get in shape why can't able-bodies people? One guy is in a wheelchair, the other has cerebral palsy:

DanAG · Answer

No it shouldn't be outlawed. I get so sick of hearing about discrimination.

If anything, fat people should be taxed. Look at how smokers were dealt with. Smoking is a major health issue. Instead of protecting smokers against discrimination, they were taxed, and taxed very heavily. The entire argument was that smokers cost society a ton of money for health care and the taxes were to partially offset that cost. Instead of protecting fat people, why not tax them in the same way? Put a huge tax on corn syrup, fast food, any food with a high fat content.

Put a $5 tax per liter of Coke. Attack Coca Cola, Pepsi, McDonalds, and all the corn syrup companies the same way cigarette companies were attacked. Make them pay for all the people they knowingly kill.

Why the heck should we protect people against their own stupid choices? Why should we have such a high cost to society because of their own choices? I don't want to hear about people with medical problems. We all know that's not the case most of the time.

In addition to taxes on fatness, companies should get tax breaks if all their employes are under a certain BMI. They should also get discounts on health insurance.

Parents who let their children get fat are the worst. That should be considered child abuse and treated as such. It's sickening to see a 5 year old kid who is round as a basketball.

Obesity is a major problem and a growing problem. Encouraging it is the exact opposite of what should be done.

Roarke · Answer

sometimes it's a practical matter and not one of prejudice. airlines occasionally charge extra for overweight people because any misuse of an extra seat causes loss of money.

in personal terms, i had a platonic female roommate who was considered 'morbidly obese', and for her it turned out to be just that. she died one morning on my hallway floor from a blood clot, which is known to be prevalent in those who are extremely overweight. while we may want to have compassion for such individuals, i must wonder what would have been the outcome if she had died on the interstate.

and overall obesity is considered a behavioral issue, something a person can choose not to do. modern science has developed many alternatives, such as the lo-carb approach that have been proven to work. for this reason medical insurance coverage may be come limited by a person's weight.

as for issues about emotional and physical abuse toward these individuals, there are laws in place to handle that overall. perhaps they may become stiffer down the road, but they are there now.

Bandit74 · Answer

No I don't really agree. Life isn't fair, it never has been, never will be. We have always treated others since the beginning of time. Good looking (healthy, symmetric) people are preferred for jobs, especially in sales or in any job that requires personal relations. Being good looking is an advantage in life and it is taken into account. Image and presentation matters, its not just weight, also how you dress, being clean shaven, no tattoos or earnings. You need to look "presentable" and be a good representative of the company. Being fat isn't set in stone like skin color, most people who are fat are fat because of a poor diet and lack of self control. If there are two people who have the same credentials and one is overweight, I will bet money the good looking one gets the job. We perceive good looking healthy people as more approachable, more intelligent, and more trust worthy. I think the psychological term for it is called the "halo effect". We associate positive physical traits with positive personality traits. Also if we are specifically talking about being fat, a fat person would be more likely to have health problems, which means they would be more expensive to ensure if the employer gives health insurance to his employees. A fat person is a greater financial risk for the employer. Also if the fat person gets sick because of his poor health and needs to step down from the job, the employer would have to take the time and money to find a suitable replacement. So a fat person is riskier to hire, unless his skillset is significantly better than the other applicants he probably won't get the job.

ladsin · Answer

I said B, but I think it is a little deeper than that. For instance one thing that many overweight people complain about is struggling to get jobs in retail etc. This makes sense to me though as the store wants more attractive people working there because it attracts customers. I don't think that they should be forced to hire people that may hurt or detract from their business. Same in the idea that if I was a store owner I wouldn't hire some goth kid who looks like he may go off the wall and kill somebody because it would detract customers and therefor hurt my business. I do feel like occasionally they are treated to harshly in society by other kids and what not. But I think that if they aren't comfortable with themselves then they should change, and if they are comfortable with themselves then it won't matter what other people say. I get made fun of frequently because of my height. Does that mean I should be protected? no it's not a big deal

chocolatedragon · Answer

Heh, it shouldn't be illegal. I used to be fat and I lost the weight so for most of the time it's lack of motivation on their part. There are people with medical problems, but they make a small percentage. On top of that, fat/obese people drive up the prices of insurance and airlines tickets. The job market is already competitive so some employers may see fat people as people who have no motivation to get their own health in check so it may make them think that they won't have enough motivation in the workplace. It's not always true, but they're victims of their own lifestyle. Fat people shouldn't lose weight because of fear of discrimination, they should lose weight for a healthier life because if they don't, they enslave their heart to double work.

sexyasianboi26 · Answer

If you are fat and are diagnosed with diabetes, then you have a disability, it is illegal to discriminate against disabled people. But if you are fat, and you can still walk, and work with no problems; then there is no discrimination against you.

The company that I work for has their handful of "fat people", but we don't make fun of them because they do good work. In a professional setting, if you know how to use your talents and gifts to make money for the company, then you are worthy.

Jobs discriminating against fat people? What types of jobs are these?

MaxVolume · Answer

At extreme obisaty I thing they need help, I would think the adverage person though gains weight as they get older, unless they workout there whole lives. People that are 350+ need to get a rain check and realize that, it's not normal to be that huge. Discrimination no but if you are allowing yourself to get that big then there needs to be some help that doesn't cost money to these ppl. At the same time america doesn't exactly help us in doing this. Did you know that people in china workout at the beginning of school, also work. I mean not before they go but when they arrive at work they have to work out. I beleive it's 30 mins in the morning. If this type of structure was placed in America then we wouldn't be the most obeast county in the world

Matt2k · Answer

Always interesting to hear how our cousins across the pond deal with things :)

I don't think it should be illegal, and I'm a big believer in freedom of speech. If people can't say certain words, they'll just invent other ones to hurt you. I can't stand these people, but I don't think censorship is the answer. If anything, I think that can exacerbate the problem.

I like the way things are going though- I think people are slowly becoming more tolerant and civilised as time goes on. The world has a long way to go and of course, increasing levels of social media will convince certain people that things are worse (when in reality, they are probably just more highlighted), but I am hopeful.

Anonymous · Answer

well being judged according to your body percentage than your brain is pretty bad
it should be illegal because these people who are fat, aren't able to show the world what they can offer: because their outer shell is either discoloured, fat, or deformed.

it's easy to assume that fat people are lazy, can't take care of themselves, and have bad attitudes; but that could be anyone of any size.
where i'm from, it's illegal to discriminate by age, weight, race, etc.
e. g:
Turning someone down for a job because they have a tattoo sleeve, is illegal and the employer can be reported and sued.

carnix · Answer

Nobody should face discrimination.

But then some forms of it are more worthy IMO...

I'll explain what I mean by that.

To take the USA as an example, fat people were never enslaved or subject to Jim Crow. They never were denied the right to vote or seen as a "women's place is in the home". Fat people were not made illegal like gays, or interned like the Japanese-Americans were.

And what discrimination do they face exactly? Being called fatarse in the street? Being turned down from dating or friendship to a lesser extent? Not getting jobs like modelling or other aesthetic work?

Sorry, but whilst discrimination is wrong, I believe fat people don't experience much serious discrimination as it is. Nobody is enslaving them or torturing them, and they are not denied the right to vote. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that, and I'm sure Hilary or whoever would want as many fat Democrat votes as possible...

matrix124 · Answer

Yes & no. I don't think people should bully a person for being fat, or deny them a job they are capable of. But I can see it being a hindrance for some businesses having to make their products (airplanes, roller coasters, etc.) accessible for all sizes.

Monitor · Answer

It's a fine line about that term "discrimination". Someone can claim discrimination simply because you suggested they eat healthier for various reasons.

Imposing a law is a violation of freedom under our constitution and there are laws in place to prevent discrimination, yet, being overweight, is not a class, it's a personal problem that one chooses to deal with or not.

Not accepting responsibility for being lazy isn't the fault of society, it's your own.

AutumnBloom · Answer

I've applied to some clothing stores before and they made it completely obvious that my weight was the issue they said "I didn't fit in the look description they were searching for" and I've become used to jokes and etc. But at least I can say I workout and am truly trying to lose weight. I have lost some weight though slowly but surely and I definitely feel a little better about myself everyday (even bad days)

pr3ttybr0wn · Answer

this is annoying. as someone who actually is a minority, I roll my eyes at fatties who think their discrimination is on par with race or ethnic discrimination. really? all you have to do is not be fat and your good in society. you weren't born that way you choose to be big and do nothing about it. if you feel you have a lowered place in society bc of your weight that's your fault. sorry but they won't get my sympathy

Anonymous · Answer

Why? So we can have quotas saying we have to hire a certain amount of overweight people?

So not only will employers be forced to fill a racial quota but also one based on weight. Great. Let's throw real qualifications out the window and hire more people solely on the basis of the pigment of their skin and the amount of adipose tissue...

Anonymous · Answer

I think it's messed up that grown adults still resort to elementary school life. We should all be past bullying, and that means discriminating against people because they don't like their appearance. I understand in a way because people are often rude to me just because my face is ugly. It's ridiculous. I am 28 years old and I still deal with bullying that I had to deal with in High School, and to be honest adults have actually been more rude than what I went through in High School. I don't know if there should be a law, but people really do need to learn not to be rude to people about their appearance. I have absolutely nothing against overweight people. Some of the nicest people I know are overweight. I'm interested in an overweight man at the moment.

heywat · Answer

Being over weight myself, I do know the feeling of being discriminated against. I voted B. Although it sucks to be discriminated against sometimes it does have to be done. If a job requires lots of hard labor, an extremely overweight person isn't going to be able to do that kind f work, I'm in the process of trying to lose weight, it's HARD especially for girls, but if you put the weight on, you can get the weight off! No laws should be made! that'd make for a lot more ridiculous laws!

Florida_Gator_Girl · Answer

It would be the same as saying a super skinny person can't do certain things like have the stamina to work in a physically demanding job because they might pass out or something like that. Ya I do think it is wrong to hate on people who are over weight just like it is wrong for people to hate on super skinny people. Or people who might not fit the cookie cutter versions.

Thoughts on Fat Discrimination? Do you agree or disagree that it should be illegal?

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