by Amanda Shoemake

Created on: May 18, 2010

What defines "underweight"? Is it the scale or someones perception of how one should look? Take for example someone of average height who is about average weight. Some people would say this person needs to lose a few pounds, while others would argue that they are healthy; and yet others would disagree that they are overweight. Personal perception plays a lot in the views of other people and the way they look. While some people are above average when it comes to weight they might find an average person to be to skinny. There are always exceptions to every rule.

Models and those in the entertainment business are surrounded by constant pressure to look a certain way and even act in a certain way. Who are we to say that a person is to skinny to do runway? It is a long drawn out fact that designers like people who's physique accentuates their designs. If a certain designer requires a model to be long and lean for certain outfits, whom are we to judge their choice. That being said, these so called underweight models may be just as healthy as a normal person. Metabolism is different in every person and you can not expect everyone to look the same.

The controversy that surrounds the modeling would is both fact and fiction. If someone views a model to be to skinny but, they have them checked by a physician to be found in perfect health, why should they not be allowed to do the runway. With all things in life there should be guidelines in which the runway models follow. If they are viewed as underweight, it should be acceptable that they be checked by a physician to evaluate their eating habits and their overall health. If they are practicing unsafe means to acquire their size then yes they should be monitored until they return to the proper health.

Size has become way to important in the society we live in. Perceptions change with each generation and will continue to do such. It is a proverbial slap in the face to someone who is healthy but, considered underweight to have their job taken from them because of this fact. In a generalized outlook it is discrimination against someone either way you slice it. No one is perfect, we take everyone with their faults and it is those faults that make them beautiful. Banning someone who is otherwise healthy from preforming their job just because they appear to be underweight is a step back into the abyss from which we first climbed out of.

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