Katharina Buczek
The Wikipedia definition of “mom bod” says that it is “of course the female equivalent of the ‘dad bod’– that sexy, schlubby, slightly paunchy physique… But unlike her counterpart, the mom bod isn’t generally thought of as appealing.”
The Urban Dictionary definition of “mom bod” even says, “A woman who has had at least one kid and that child has affected her body in such a way that it changed her physical appearance to the point where she no longer looks like herself.”
The definition goes on to list supposedly negative physical traits of mothers, including “stretch marks on the hips, thighs, and boobs, rounded face, double chin, cellulite ass, saggy boobs from nursing and pumping, a rounded or sagging belly.”
“So you’re telling me that women spend nine months growing human life inside of them and, at the end of those nine months, they’re either sliced open or they literally push a person out of their body, only to be minimized to a fat stomach, stretch marks, and a double chin?” Bry said in anger, “Meanwhile, men have the same body type but are celebrated for ‘earning’ their dad bod?”
Why is it that women’s and men’s bodies are constantly compared? Women endure an entire pregnancy and birth– of course, it makes sense that their bodies may change! If anything, that should make their “mom bod” even more worthy of “earning” celebration.
Bry’s viral TikTok video gained nearly one hundred and sixty thousand likes on the platform. In addition, women from around the globe have commented in agreement with Bry’s sentiments.
“This has literally made me so angry, and incredibly sad. A woman’s whole worth seems to be based on her body. But it’s not the same for a man!” wrote one user.
“At least every woman should be celebrated for creating life, so what the hell if their body shows that!” commented another.
Men’s and women’s maturing bodies should be celebrated equally. Age, childbirth, and mother/fatherhood can all be straining factors on anyone’s mental and/or physical health– regardless of gender.
So, let’s not tear down the “mom bod”– especially after that body has supported and physically birthed another human.
https://www.tiktok.com/@building_her_legacy/video/6998541947229048070
