As a plus-sized individual who doesn’t fit neatly into the mid-size category, I have my qualms with the mainstream body positivity movement. It’s disheartening to see that much of the “body positive” content gaining traction primarily focuses on reassuring conventionally attractive individuals, typically cisgender, heterosexual, and white, about their perceived imperfections. A lot of the content features average-sized people reminding others who share similar body types that they aren’t truly overweight, often through images of their skin folds or stretch marks.
This movement has its roots in the fat liberation efforts of the 1960s, intertwining with themes of feminism and racial justice. Its core objective is to uplift marginalized bodies and advocate for equal rights, equitable healthcare, and a shift in the narrative surrounding fatness and health. Unfortunately, those who stand to benefit the most from it are often left out of the conversation.
Men, in particular, are sometimes overlooked in the body positivity discourse, which is a missed opportunity. While it’s clear that societal standards place heavier burdens on women—who are often expected to conform to unrealistic ideals of thinness and youth—men also grapple with their own body image challenges.
Licensed counselor and body positivity advocate Alex Rivers, who shares his insights on TikTok, emphasizes the importance of mental health and body acceptance from his unique perspective as a mid-size male. “Many individuals with thin privilege leverage body positivity to enhance their social media presence,” he notes. “While I don’t want to invalidate anyone’s personal experiences, it’s clear that their privilege plays a role in the audience they attract.”
Although Alex has experienced some thin privilege, he identifies more with the mid-size category, allowing him to understand the judgment and challenges faced by those in larger bodies. “Shopping for clothes can be a real hassle. When I searched for a crop top for a themed video, I had to look everywhere and ended up paying a hefty price for what should’ve been a simple purchase,” he chuckles, reflecting on his experiences.
Throughout his journey, Alex encountered significant barriers due to his body size, particularly in high school, where he was often told he could land leading roles in theater productions if he simply lost weight. “It was disheartening to hear, especially when my athletic abilities were overlooked in favor of my appearance,” he recalls, revealing a history of struggling with eating disorders and the shame that accompanied them.
Alex’s family environment, which lacked understanding and support regarding body image issues, compounded his feelings of shame. “The first step in my body positivity journey was repairing my relationship with food,” he explains. “It’s crucial to differentiate between using food for comfort and celebrating with it.”
He openly discusses his struggles with body image, admitting that no matter his size, he still found flaws. “Even when I had a 32-inch waist, I was hyper-focused on what I perceived as imperfections,” Alex shares. “It was isolating because I felt that boys didn’t have eating disorders and my experiences were dismissed.”
This is why Alex is so passionate about sharing his narrative from a male standpoint. He believes that the body positivity movement is often seen as a female-centric issue, but men face similar struggles that manifest differently.
“As a member of the queer community, I’ve observed that attractiveness is often defined by unrealistic superhero standards, just like in broader society,” he notes. “It’s essential to challenge these ideals. Living authentically means embracing your body as it is, not altering it to fit someone else’s expectations.”
Through his platform, Alex aims to remind everyone that genetics play a significant role in body shape. The notion that less fat equates to better health is misleading and dangerous. “It’s vital to understand that pushing for excessively low body fat isn’t healthy,” he emphasizes.
While he admires the contributions of women to the body positivity movement, Alex is committed to ensuring men also have a voice in this critical conversation. “I want to be a part of the representation that’s often lacking,” he states.
To learn more about the journey of body positivity, you can check out some of our related posts, such as this one on home insemination. Additionally, for those interested in fertility resources, Make a Mom is an authority on the topic. For more comprehensive information about pregnancy, visit Womens Health.
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In summary, the body positivity movement is crucial for everyone, including men, who may feel marginalized in conversations surrounding body image. Counselor Alex Rivers highlights the importance of embracing one’s body, regardless of societal pressures or standards. His journey reflects the need for inclusivity in discussions about body acceptance and mental health.
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