Girls are nice & They Don’t Give a F*** about men’s bodies, according to Billie, is that true gents?
While it’s widely acknowledged that women endure constant judgment regarding their body shapes and sizes, Eilish contends that men escape this kind of criticism entirely, thanks to women’s kinder nature.
The War on Women’s Bodies
In an interview with Variety, Eilish discussed the intense pressures women face, especially those in the public eye.
“Being a woman is such a war, especially being a young woman in the public eye. It’s really unfair,” she stated. Eilish has been vocal about her choice to wear baggy clothes, a decision she revisited in the interview, explaining it was a way to protect herself from being objectified.
“I wasn’t trying to have people not sexualize me. But I didn’t want people to have access to my body, even visually. I wasn’t strong enough and secure enough to show it,” she said. The fear of public judgment was so profound that Eilish admitted she would have been devastated by critical comments about her body.
Men Face Criticism Too, Just Not as Much
Men face backlash too for looks and this can be directly quoted from Billie herself calling some men ugly!
“Nobody ever says a thing about men’s bodies. If you’re muscular, cool. If you’re not, cool. If you’re rail-thin, cool. If you have a dad bod, cool. If you’re pudgy, love it! Everybody’s happy with it. You know why? Because girls are nice.” apparently
However, while Eilish’s point highlights the often harsher scrutiny women face, it’s essential to acknowledge that men are not entirely free from body criticism.
Although the pressure may not be as intense or pervasive, men do face societal expectations regarding their physiques—whether it’s the idealization of muscular builds or the growing conversation around body positivity for men with “dad bods.”
The Double Standard in Body Image Expectations
Eilish’s comments shed light on the gendered double standard in body image criticism.
While women are frequently subjected to harsh and unrelenting scrutiny, men often encounter a more lenient and accepting attitude. This disparity reflects broader societal norms and expectations about gender and appearance, highlighting the ongoing challenges in achieving true body positivity for everyone.
Eilish’s remarks remind us that while progress has been made, there’s still a long way to go in ensuring that all people, regardless of gender, are treated with kindness and respect when it comes to their bodies.