tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20636240.post2767494497546406248..comments2009-10-07T17:51:57.176-04:00Comments on Work/Life/Law 3.0: The Case for Weight part 2Professor Prenkerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16376139737429352787noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20636240.post-60491481005469874652008-04-07T11:19:00.000-04:002008-04-07T11:19:00.000-04:00I think you bring up a good point by saying weight...I think you bring up a good point by saying weight cannot be concealed. It seems to be harder for those individuals who struggle with their weight to find jobs because of the stigma that all overweight people are lazy. I do not see how a future employer could discriminate against someone, especially if they happen to be overweight as well. I think that society, and sadly the media has done a wonderful job in promoting the idea that “thin is in and fat is out”. This is certainly a change from 200 years ago when being fat was actually looked at as a positive trait to have and thin was seen as unpopular. The trends in our society through the media change how we shape our own opinions. (I’m not saying that this is always the case for everyone, I’m just generalizing.) <BR/>It does not surprise me that overweight discrimination of women is just as common as racial discrimination. If you think about it, much of what we see in the media is women who are skinny and “beautiful”. If you think about all of the males that are in upper management positions that need to hire people, they think about this “ideal woman” they will probably pick the girl that may not be as smart as an overweight woman, but she’s at least hot, so it gives them something to look at while they are at work. If you look at many of the weight loss shows on television, there seem to be far more overweight females on the show compared to men. Some of them tell stories about their struggles to fit in with “normal sized” people and I could only assume they also find hardship in trying to find a job. <BR/>I think many people believe that being overweight is a choice, and that these people can just work out or get a surgery in order to lose weight. It really is not all that easy. Many people that are overweight happen to be that way due to their genetics. Which is why it should be protected, I mean let’s face it we cannot change our genes, even if we wanted too! Some of these people might also struggle with other issues that cause them to over eat and thus they are obese. It takes time for some of these emotional scars to heal. But if they are always treated in such a negative manner, I’m sure it will be harder for them to take it upon themselves to get motivated or seek the help that they need. They should not be penalized for trying to make a living. It’s horrible to think that we are so consumed with looks that work and credentials do nothing to help a person get a job.Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13205321887280946863noreply@blogger.com