Growing up fat was a pain.
Shopping for clothes was absolute torture. All the "husky" sized items were ugly with a capital "U". The salespeople were often unsympathetic and/or rude. I would most often be at the point of tears as I sent back yet another shapeless paper-bagesque ugly item over the dressing room door.
It fucking sucked to grow up fat.
I was transported back to that time in my life when I read this little gem. The premise is that having plus-sizes for kids legitimizes obesity. WTF?!?
Let's define what the "husky" size is, shall we? For boys, it's about 2 inches more room at the waist. For girls, it's three. So a beautiful little girl with a chunkier middle than her peers is degraded to the term "husky" for three measly inches.
Parents feel that having a wider variety of clothing enhances self-esteem. I would happen to agree with them. I know that had my clothes been more appealing I might have gone out more and participated in more activities with my friends. You can't very well have a full and active life if you are ashamed to be seen in what you are forced to wear. There just weren't the options that they are now.
I'm still fat. I still have a hard time finding clothes that fit the way I want them to. But, I've had 29 years to adjust, adapt, and accept it. I'm fat because I'm fat. So there.
The tortured little girl inside of me still cries sometimes, but these days she's just as likely to give the world the middle finger, with a smile - without a blame, without shame.
And...I have to smile a little wider on days like that.
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