While on a recent shopping trip to Target, I was taken aback by a greeting card tucked under the “Weight Loss” category. Initially searching for a wedding card, I never expected to find something that felt so out of place—and frankly, harmful. Is this really a trend now? Are we supposed to monitor the weight changes of our friends and family as if their worth hinges solely on their size?
Upon examining the card, it was clear that it perpetuated the harmful societal views surrounding women’s bodies. The card featured a bright pink design with a scale, boasting the phrase “Losing Weight and Looking Great.” Inside, the message read, “So excited for YOU and the WONDERFUL CHANGES you’re making in your life!” The emphasis on YOU, highlighted in the same vibrant pink, was notably absent from any equivalent card for men.
This card implied that a woman’s value is diminished if she is overweight. It suggests that only upon shedding pounds does one become worthy of recognition and respect. I imagined someone purchasing this card for their colleague, Rebecca, in HR, who finally managed to shed some weight. Perhaps now they believed she could find love or success.
Is this just another product of the greeting card industry, creating occasions for profit? Is it inappropriate to view such a card as another mechanism to make women feel inadequate about their bodies? It reinforces the idea that our self-worth is tied to our appearance.
I shared a photo of this card in a popular parenting group on Facebook, and the response was overwhelmingly negative. Many echoed my sentiments, expressing that receiving such a card would be hurtful and infuriating. Complimenting someone on weight loss is one thing, but gifting a card that essentially states, “I respect you more now that you’re not overweight” is just plain rude.
One member, who had lost a significant amount of weight, shared that her father’s responses to her weight-loss updates often left her feeling like she wasn’t enough. Another woman revealed that her father’s constant focus on her health since gaining weight made her feel pressured to conform. She expressed a desire to lose weight, yet also a need to compel her father to love her as she is, regardless of her size.
I am a mother who doesn’t fit society’s standards of thinness, yet I make it to the gym three times a week. I appreciate the childcare services that my gym offers, allowing me the luxury of working out and taking a hot shower without interruptions. My motivations have evolved; I now prioritize my health for the sake of longevity and mental well-being.
A fellow mother mentioned that she lost motivation to lose weight after the last election, rejecting the idea of conforming to societal expectations of appearance. Instead, she focused on building strength, finding empowerment in her fitness journey.
I doubt we’ll see a card celebrating men overcoming issues like erectile dysfunction anytime soon. Imagine a bright blue card emblazoned with “Staying Erect and Ready to Inject” followed by a congratulatory message about their performance.
So what kind of greeting cards would I like to see instead? Perhaps one that celebrates parents who raise kind, empathetic children—those who would never consider giving a weight-loss card.
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Summary
Fat-shaming greeting cards perpetuate harmful societal views about women’s worth being tied to their size. While these cards may be marketed as supportive, they often send the wrong message, suggesting that women must lose weight to gain respect and love. Conversations in parenting groups reveal a shared sentiment against such messages, emphasizing the need for kindness over judgment. It’s time to celebrate health and strength in ways that uplift rather than diminish.