Saturday, 1^st of May, at exactly 2:00 PM English department students held the second discussion in a long series of weekly discussions named Weekly Freetalk. In this session, the discussion was moderated by Muhammad Faqih Sampurno, and was driven by two presenters namely Angger Bagus Wicaksono and Nafiatur Rizqiyah. Amongst the participants who were active are Ahmad Ismail, Kurniyah Khalid, Dendri Endrian Ramadhan, Mutiara Salsabila, Fatima Aurelian Sugandi, and Denok Purborini. Which was 2019 and 2020 student.

The discussion started with an opening statement by the English department’s secretary, Febriyanti Dwiratna Lestari. The topic of the discussion was regarding “is there to much pressure in society to have perfect body?”. The discussion was fairly active, students took turn to give interesting arguments.

The presenters of the discussion represent two different opinions regarding the topic. Angger Bagus Wicaksono represented that there are still many people who think that having a perfect body is a privilege. He even argue that people who do not have perfect body will feel insecure about their situation and also that mindset cause social pressure that we must have a perfect body in order to be accepted in the community or society. On the contrary, Nafiatur Rizqiyah represented that this situation it depends in our environment. Not everyone is under that pressure. She also argue that it’s like the stereotype society provides to us about the ideal figure. The discussion flows as followed:

Is There Too Much Pressure In Society to Have Perfect Body?

There so many opinions that have been given or shared by students. And of course, there were lots of complexities about this topic. For example, some students think that have perfect body is a privilege and of course that mindset cause social pressure that we must have a perfect body, so with that it will be easy to accept in the community or society. Meanwhile, some students think that not everyone is under the pressure to have a perfect body, but it depends in our environment.

The problem of body shape is one of the thing that maybe some people, especially for woman are things that want to be avoided. In fact, people worry that without a perfect body, they may get rejected by society and excluded from various other social groups. Pressure exerted by one person on another can make a person mentally down and also lose self-confidence. So that they will feel small and want to change the state of their bodies. They think they will finally feel happier, more confident, more worthy, and the entire world will flip upside down for the better if they are just able to build the perfect body.

So, we are going to talk about two statements, “there are still many people who think that having perfect body is a privilege so it can be easy to accepted in the community or society” and “not everyone is under the pressure, it depends in our environment”

“There are Still Many People Who Think That Having Perfect Body is A Privilege So It Can Be Easy to Accepted In The Community or Society”

Talking about this problem, there are some student’s opinions that explain why there are still many people who think that having perfect body is a privilege.

Have a perfect body is a subjective argument. Everyone has their own side of perfection. Nowdays, the media is growing so rapidly. Advertisements, movies, tv shows, and music videos promote body figures with aspects such as size zero figure, fair skin, and ideal physique. From various sources, we can not deny if it affects someone’s mind about having a perfect body is a privilege. Having a perfect body will also make it easier for someone to have a relationship with other people. Because basically the majority of people want to have boyfriend or girlfriend who is good looking and also have a perfect body. But it depends with ourself. How do we take that pressure. Having a perfect body does not guarantee a healthy body.

“Not Everyone is Under The Pressure, It Depends In Our Environment”

Not everyone is always under the pressure to have a perfect body. It depends in our environment. Sometimes we want to have a perfect body because we are jealous of other people, not because pressure. It is important to remember that everybody is different. We all have different genetic and cultural traits. Even if everyone started eating the same things and did the same amount of exercise for a whole year, we would not all look the same at the end of the year, This is because each person’s genetic inheritance influences their bone structure, body size, shape, and weight differently. If we want to be accepted in the community, it does not mean we have to get perfect body. It’s wrong though. In fact, we must have knowledge, character, and good attitude to be accepted in the community.

The environment can be very judgmental to people concerning their body image. Based on the media, society sets unrealistic standards of beauty and perfection for someone, which are illogical and unreasonable.

What Do You Think About Body Shaming or Fat Shaming That Relates With Perfect Body?

Body shaming has become a social norm all over the world. Body shaming is the act of criticizing your own body of another person’s body in front of them or behind their back. And most of the time people didn’t realize that it could strongly affect the well-being of an individual in a lot of cases.

Body shaming goes beyond the basic forms like fat shaming or skinny shaming. People could also be shamed their heights or be criticized that they aren’t beautiful or handsome for the physique they have, but no matter the form body shaming is unacceptable on behalf of victims of body shaming.

How Do We Remind Someone to Have Health Life Without Sounding Offensive?

To remind someone, please remind them with carefully. Talk about it privately, not in front of other people. Give a motivational words so they can take the lesson behind.

We are perfect if we accepted with pleasure. If we comfortable with our current condition, don’t force yourself to look perfect in front of people. Live everything according to your wishes, but don’t forget the health of your body. No matter what your start taking healthier options for you to get better. Accept yourself and love yourself but also take steps for you to be healthy. For your to get better, to get stronger, to get healthier than you were before. And the most important thing is that we don’t need a perfect body, but we just need a healthy body.

Conclusion

The urgency of having a perfect body for any gender should be stopped thought and reflected. There is a pressure of the society of having ideal bodies for everyone. But you don’t have to change anything, because the value that you have is inside in your heart, not in your body. Everyone has weaknesses and strengths, we can’t deny about that. You’re always perfect, whatever and however you’re condition. Try to love yourself. And remember don’t force yourself to look perfect in front of others if it will only hurt yourself.

Last but especially not least, society is full of judgement, opinions, and personal views. It sets a unrealistic standard for beauty and perfection of people. So there is too much pressure in society to have perfect body? Yes, society has set way too high expectations for people.