Sunday, March 2, 2008

Fat-Shaming: Always a Good Message to Send Video Game Loving Teens and Kids

Here's one I couldn't have come up with myself. A Japanese video game based on fat-shaming. Oh yeah.

The story:

"A young woman who was once svelte and lovely has binged on too many sweets and pastries. As a result of extreme indulgence, her waistline has blossomed and her weight has surpassed 220lbs (100kg). When she reaches her sophomore year in high school, her father decides to send her and her brother to live in an apartment building which is populated with boys. Lots of boys.

The young woman likes the boys but when she introduces herself and professes her interest, she's rejected because of her tremendous size. With the help of her brother and inner determination, she resolves to lose weight and become little Miss Popular. You are that young woman and your mission is weight loss by way of exercise, diet, and mini-games."




Because:

1. No man could ever love someone who is overweight.
2. 220 lbs is so unbelievably massive ("tremendous" even) and unheard of that we should all be appalled by that horrific number.
3. There are many high school sophomores sent away by their fathers to live in apartment buildings that are also populated by teenagers.
4. "Svelte" and "lovely" are only available together. One could never be chunky and lovely.
5. Weight is the ONLY thing that keeps someone from being popular.

Gag me.

What a great message to send to teenagers. Like young girls don't have enough body issues. I think I'll keep this one OUT of my Nintendo DS.

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