A study exploratory has analyzed the consequences of body shaming —The criticism or ridicule of the body—in the family environment of young women residing in the Canary Islands. It addresses how they interpret comments about their physical appearance, what effects these comments have on their emotional well-being, and how family ties condition their ability to set boundaries. Its authors are Paulo Adrian Rodriguez Ramos y José Manuel Díaz González, from the Social Work and Social Services Area of the University of La Laguna, together with the social workers and graduates of this same university Jennifer Liliana González Hernández and Yashira González García.
He body shaming It constitutes one of the manifestations of what is known as aesthetic and symbolic violence linked to gender roles. When it occurs within the family, it takes on special significance, as it can influence the construction of identity, self-esteem, and the relationship that young women have with their own bodies. The research Aesthetic violence in the family: Analysis of body shaming and its effects on young women, published in the magazine Obets, The study involved 21 women aged between 18 and 30 residing in the Canary Islands. Six were interviewed individually and another fifteen participated in three focus groups.
One of the findings suggests that aesthetic ideals are part of a sociocultural system that women themselves internalize and can reproduce in their closest relationships. In this context, the maternal figure emerges as one of the main agents of transmission of these discourses. Participants identified their mothers as the most frequent source of critical or prescriptive comments about their appearance. However, the study interprets this behavior not as the individual responsibility of the mothers, but as part of an intergenerational transmission of aesthetic mandates that they themselves have internalized throughout their own life experiences.
These remarks often appear woven into everyday conversations and can take forms that are not initially perceived as aggressive. The authors point out that jokes, advice, or expressions made out of “concern” can, when repeated, become mechanisms of body control that generate persistent discomfort. Family gatherings appear as one of the common settings where these comments occur, which are not limited to weight but also include assessments of general appearance or clothing.
Another key finding is the impact these discourses have on the participants' body image. All of them reported having, to varying degrees, a conflicted relationship with their bodies, characterized by dissatisfaction, rejection, or self-criticism. Some described this relationship as "toxic" or in crisis after years of exposure to comments about their appearance. This is compounded by a state of vigilance, fearing further judgment. The participants described feelings of insecurity, discomfort, and self-censorship, especially when encountering family members who had previously made comments about their bodies. This anticipation can limit spontaneity and affect family relationships.
The study links these experiences to various forms of psychological distress and warns of their potential impact on self-esteem and emotional well-being. Its findings show that seemingly everyday comments can leave a lasting mark on how women perceive and value their own bodies.
The study also focuses on the difficulties young women face in setting boundaries when confronted with these comments. Although some participants have managed to do so, they describe the process as emotionally draining and not always effective. Among the main barriers are fear of conflict, fear of damaging the emotional bond, and the normalization of certain remarks as a form of concern or affection. In some cases, after these boundaries are expressed, the family's response is to temporarily avoid any conversation related to the body or food. This reaction can create an uncomfortable atmosphere that doesn't necessarily resolve the problem but can contribute to silencing it.
The investigation thus places the body shaming Intrafamilial violence is seen as a common and normalized form of aesthetic violence, drawing attention to the family as one of the primary spaces for body socialization. However, this study goes further, revealing the complexity of dynamics in which individuals who reproduce these discourses may also have been previously exposed to these same mandates. Thus, the work identifies an intergenerational cycle of fatphobia and aesthetic pressure: many of the participants' mothers have also experienced this aesthetic pressure. Therefore, the study aims to understand these behaviors within a structural and cultural phenomenon transmitted through language, attitudes, and everyday practices.
In light of this reality, the study raises the need to rethink family dynamics from an ethic of care based on respect for bodily diversity. It also proposes promoting educational programs and policies that incorporate a critical perspective on aesthetic discourses and foster body and emotional literacy within families.
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