Law against anorexic models goes into effect in Israel

[Signals.Cpl]

So I came across this bit of information, a new law is coming to Israel which requires that models be above a certain BMI to be part of fashion shows, tv advertisements and other media outlets. From what I understand the concept here is to limit the exposure to less than healthy role models for teens in particular but also to prevent companies from using photoshop to touch up models without informing the public thus creating an unattainable image for young people to aspire to.

http://www.jpost.com/Health/Article.aspx?id=297980

My personal opinion is that this is a good thing as young girls will not be bombarded at the same level no matter where they are and what they do, right now many young girls and young women are starving themselves in order to live up to a standard set up that in most cases is unattainable and and exceptionally unhealthy.

My question is do you guys think that this law or a similar example can be set up in the west and most important do you agree with it and does it feel like it could solve the problem?

[Bonam]

While I agree that posing unattainable, unhealthy ideals to impressionable young teenage girls is probably a bad thing, I don't think the government should take it upon itself to dictate the BMI of models... that just seems like an absurd overreach of government power.

The real solution to such problems is people not being idiots. Just because you see a photoshopped model that is stick thin doesn't mean you should build your life around trying to attain that level of slimness. And that is the domain of parents and how they raise their children. The most society can/should do would be education about the topic in schools, letting people know what normal healthy attractive weights are for their age, height, gender, and build and giving them the opportunity to measure themselves against realistic rather than unhealthy ideals.

[Signals.Cpl]

While I agree that posing unattainable, unhealthy ideals to impressionable young teenage girls is probably a bad thing, I don't think the government should take it upon itself to dictate the BMI of models... that just seems like an absurd overreach of government power.

The real solution to such problems is people not being idiots. Just because you see a photoshopped model that is stick thin doesn't mean you should build your life around trying to attain that level of slimness. And that is the domain of parents and how they raise their children. The most society can/should do would be education about the topic in schools, letting people know what normal healthy attractive weights are for their age, height, gender, and build and giving them the opportunity to measure themselves against realistic rather than unhealthy ideals.

Although what you said is true, girls are bombarded with images from every angle and every media outlet and as a result there is also plenty of pressure to conform to a standard that is virtually unattainable at least not in a healthy manner. Education is key but you need to put in overwhelming effort just to break even when we compare to the weight that media of all sorts plays in the minds and lives of young children. Same way as you combat smoking in children, you try to eradicate it in the media and educate at the same time and you might get some positive results while leaving commercials directed at showing how the cool guy/girl smokes and how its cool to smoke etc... will ultimately wipe out any attempt to neutralize it through education.

[dre]

I dont like Government getting into this stuff either... But I guess if it becomes enough of a public health issue there isnt much choice.

[Bonam]

I dont like Government getting into this stuff either... But I guess if it becomes enough of a public health issue there isnt much choice.

True, if it gets on the scale of smoking, as signals compared to, then yes. But where is the threshold for "enough of a public health issue"? Now, I don't know the stats on this very well, but I'd venture to guess that the amount of illness, death, and medical expense that results from skinny models in media is a few orders of magnitude lower than for smoking.

However, even then... being not allowed to portray persons of a certain BMI in media would be a free speech issue. Unlike laws concerning the combustion of toxic substances. And what of individuals that are that thin anyway being denied jobs in modeling? Would that not be government-enforced discrimination based on weight?

Edited January 3, 2013 by Bonam

[Guest Manny]

All those emaciated models with sullen eyes, it's like they're addicted to heroin. What is it, some kinda art statement? That's not how they like their women to look.

The Prime Minister likes his women a bit more plump. He also specified, sultry, mostly brunettes, with shoulder length hair.

[dre]

But where is the threshold for "enough of a public health issue"? Now, I don't know the stats on this very well, but I'd venture to guess that the amount of illness, death, and medical expense that results from skinny models in media is a few orders of magnitude lower than for smoking

I dont know where the threshhold is, and I agree its not an easy question. I did really mean to suggest such a threshold had been met.

And what of individuals that are that thin anyway being denied jobs in modeling? Would that not be government-enforced discrimination based on weight?

Yeah I thought of that too... I agree its a problem.

[Signals.Cpl]

However, even then... being not allowed to portray persons of a certain BMI in media would be a free speech issue. Unlike laws concerning the combustion of toxic substances. And what of individuals that are that thin anyway being denied jobs in modeling? Would that not be government-enforced discrimination based on weight?

The way I see it the point is to get models that are dangerously underweight away from the spot light rather then discriminating against the fit... There is a difference between an women who is fit and a model who starves herself, promoting healthy images in the media is a positive thing and showing young girls and women an achievable goal that is also healthy is beneficial all around. The BMI measurements might not be the ideal method but it is a starting place.

[Guest American Woman]

While I agree that posing unattainable, unhealthy ideals to impressionable young teenage girls is probably a bad thing, I don't think the government should take it upon itself to dictate the BMI of models... that just seems like an absurd overreach of government power.

The government involves itself in other areas of employment - age, discrimination, work day hours, safe environments, etc.; if the requirement of these girls is to be so skinny that it's a threat to their health and life - several have died of anorexia - it makes sense that the government would get involved.

[The_Squid]

Outlaw anorexia? Good luck.

Outlaw the publication of pictures of skinny people? Free speech issue for the magazine.

[betsy]

How about the media? Should the government issue the same for movies, advertisement ads, and magazines like Vogue, Teen-something, etc.., I think magazines and movies influence more than runway modelling does since practically all teens have access to movies and magazines!

The thing about regulations like this is that it creeps up and before you know it, there goes freedom of expression.

Edited January 4, 2013 by betsy

[Guest American Woman]

Outlaw anorexia? Good luck.

No one is outlawing anorexia. As I said, the government does have labor laws that protect workers, and requiring models to be so thin as to be life threatening certainly could fall into that category.

Outlaw the publication of pictures of skinny people? Free speech issue for the magazine.

Magazines aren't able to publish whatever they like. There are legal restrictions.

[The_Squid]

No one is outlawing anorexia. As I said, the government does have labor laws that protect workers, and requiring models to be so thin as to be life threatening certainly could fall into that category.

Perhaps... But then grossly obese models would certainly have to be outlawed too....

Magazines aren't able to publish whatever they like. There are legal restrictions.

So hardcore porn would still be legal to publish pictures of, but pictures of women with unhealthy weights (thin only, grossly obese would be fine) would be illegal?

Your focus on the government fixing unhealthy teen girls' issues with being skinny is misplaced. Don't want your kid thinking that this is OK? Talk with them about it. Don't buy the magazines. Don't buy the trashy crap about celebrities that also shows the unhealthy body image.

The problem is adult consumers of this kind of crap that promotes unhealthy views on how women should look. It all comes back to being an active parent. The government can't fix lazy parenting, which is an epidemic.

[Guest American Woman]

Perhaps... But then grossly obese models would certainly have to be outlawed too....

I didn't know there was such a thing; model agencies that require their models to be grossly obese.

So hardcore porn would still be legal to publish pictures of, but pictures of women with unhealthy weights (thin only, grossly obese would be fine) would be illegal?

Is it a job requirement of "porn" to be an unhealthy weight? Not that I'm aware of.

Your focus on the government fixing unhealthy teen girls' issues with being skinny is misplaced. Don't want your kid thinking that this is OK? Talk with them about it. Don't buy the magazines. Don't buy the trashy crap about celebrities that also shows the unhealthy body image.

Because adults/parents talking about such things solves all teens insecurities? That means much more to all of them than what they see glamorized in glossy print? Furthermore, that doesn't protect the models themselves.

As I said, it's about labor laws that protect workers. One could say all one has to do is ignore sexual harassment, yet it's illegal.

The problem is adult consumers of this kind of crap that promotes unhealthy views on how women should look. It all comes back to being an active parent. The government can't fix lazy parenting, which is an epidemic.

And parents, no matter how much effort they put into parenting, can't always override peer pressure. It would be a wonderful world if all teens cared more about what their parents think than what their peers think (although considering some of the parents out there, I'm not so sure .....). As it stands, however, many adults haven't even reached the level where they don't care about what others think.

Edited January 4, 2013 by American Woman

[The_Squid]

Saying it is a workplace health issue is a stretch. Next, the anorexic model will sue because she was dismissed for having a medical condition! "You can't discriminate against me just because I have a disease"!

Parents can't override peer pressure if they never talk to their kids.....

[Guest American Woman]

Saying it is a workplace health issue is a stretch. Next, the anorexic model will sue because she was dismissed for having a medical condition! "You can't discriminate against me just because I have a disease"!

Actually, people can be let go because of medical conditions.

Parents can't override peer pressure if they never talk to their kids.....

And talking to their kids 'til the cows come home is no guarantee that they will override peer pressure. There are many good parents who run into some unsettling teen years with their kids. Plenty of parents take an active role. Peer pressure has been an issue since the beginning of time.

[The_Squid]

If they can do their jobs just fine (and apparently anorexic models are the best) then they can't be fired for having a disease.

[The_Squid]

The whole safe work place and disability discrimination is probably a moot point anyway, since these models are likely on contract and not actual employees.

[Guest American Woman]

If they can do their jobs just fine (and apparently anorexic models are the best) then they can't be fired for having a disease.

If there's a law against it, they can't be hired in the first place.

[The_Squid]

A law against what, exactly?

Government officials will be testing BMI in models now? Or will they have to produce a doctor's report that says their BMI is above the legal requirement before they can be hired? Health exams every 6 months? Which government bureaucracy will be enforcing this?

Edited January 4, 2013 by The_Squid

[Guest Manny]

A law against what?

Read title of thread, doh

[The_Squid]

Read title of thread, doh

Edited my post to be more precise.

[Guest Manny]

Edited my post to be more precise.

Good job. See we're learning and improving ourselves more and more each day

[Mighty AC]

In general, I am opposed to most government intervention. I think government should be mainly focused on protecting the rights of minorities and championing causes I support. However, I am fine with this. We protect people from second hand smoke, why not unhealthy body image? It's a positive move, even if it was won through government intervention.

I would love to see the handful of publishing companies in North America all agree to publish only healthy female images.

[The_Squid]

I do not disagree with it in principle, but in practice I think it's silly.

Edited January 7, 2013 by The_Squid