Friday 23 May 2008

Is Plus Size Discrimination on the Rise?

I came across an interesting article talking about some recent research into weight discrimination.

Yale university have entered into studies that show that more and more people are facing discrimination due to their weight, a problem which is so widespread it's often more prevalent than race & gender discrimination.

According to Yale there has been a 66% increase in the past decade, to include situations like healthcare and the workplace.

Sandy Schaffer of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance says she experienced this first hand. 'I was told point blank, that I was qualified enough and that I was smart enough and capable of doing the job, but they wouldn't offer me the job because I was too fat,' Schaffer said.

When asked if the employer was that blunt, Schaffer said, 'Point blank, those words.

Schaffer is now fighting back with the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. She's trying to get 'weight' and 'height' added to anti-discrimination laws.

These are obviously findings based on the US and I optimistically think that the situation isn't as bad in the UK. I certainly haven't experienced any such discrimination first hand just for being plus size but would love to hear other views on weight discrimination in the UK.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I did not realize that plus size discrimination occurred more than racial discrimination. I have never been denied by a job because of my weight and it is interesting for me to hear that this actually happens.