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Weight Discrimination Is Legal. Should New York City Change That?
We live in a society that is obsessed with body image. Society places a lot of emphasis on appearance, and weight is no exception. The sad reality is that weight discrimination is not only legal, but it is a widespread problem in our society.
Obesity is a serious public health concern in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third (36.5%) of adults in the United States are classified as obese, which means they have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Additionally, nearly 70% of American adults are overweight or obese, with a BMI of 25 or higher.
Despite these alarming statistics, weight discrimination is still seen as acceptable in our society. It is legal to discriminate against people based on their weight in many areas of life, including employment, education, healthcare, and housing. This type of discrimination is not only unfair, but it can also have serious consequences on a person’s mental and physical health.
Employment discrimination is one of the most significant areas where weight-based discrimination occurs. Many employers place a lot of emphasis on appearance, and they often overlook the qualifications of a job candidate who is overweight. Some employers even go as far as to require employees to maintain a certain weight to keep their jobs. This type of discrimination is not only unfair; it’s also illegal.
Education is another area where weight discrimination is prevalent. Students who are overweight or obese are often teased, bullied, and excluded from social activities. This type of treatment can have serious consequences on a student’s mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Additionally, overweight students are often seen as lazy and unmotivated, which can result in lower academic achievement.
Healthcare is one of the most important areas where weight discrimination should never occur. Healthcare providers are entrusted with the care of their patients, regardless of their size. Yet, many overweight patients are judged by their healthcare providers and are often stigmatized for their weight. This type of treatment can lead to patients avoiding going to the doctor, which can result in serious health problems going undiagnosed and untreated.
Housing discrimination based on weight is also a real problem in our society. Many landlords refuse to rent to overweight tenants, citing concerns about property damage or their ability to pay rent. This type of discrimination is not only unfair, but it’s also illegal.
New York City has taken some steps to address weight discrimination. In 2013, the city passed a law that made it illegal for employers to discriminate based on an employee’s actual or perceived weight. The law also protects employees from harassment based on their weight. While this is a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to protect overweight individuals from discrimination.
One of the challenges in addressing weight discrimination is that it is not always easy to differentiate between someone who is overweight due to a medical condition and someone who is overweight due to lifestyle choices. Additionally, there is still a lot of bias and stereotypes surrounding obesity, which makes it difficult for overweight individuals to feel included in society.
The first step in addressing weight discrimination is to raise awareness about the problem. We need to educate people about the dangers of weight discrimination and how it negatively impacts people’s lives. We also need to challenge societal norms that perpetuate the idea that people who are overweight are lazy, unmotivated, or lacking in self-control.
New York City can do more to address weight discrimination by passing more laws that protect overweight individuals from discrimination. For example, the city can pass laws that require healthcare providers to receive training on how to treat overweight patients with sensitivity and respect. The city can also pass laws that make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against overweight tenants.
In conclusion, weight discrimination needs to be addressed on a societal level. It is unfair, and it can have serious consequences on a person’s mental and physical health. While New York City has taken some steps to address the problem, more needs to be done to protect overweight individuals from discrimination. We need to raise awareness about the problem and challenge societal norms that perpetuate weight bias. We need to pass laws that protect overweight individuals from discrimination in areas such as employment, education, healthcare, and housing. By working together, we can create a more inclusive society where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their weight.
