Do you prefer your body from the side? The question is taking over TikTok
Do you like your body from the side? It is a question that has gone viral on the internet but there’s a wild reason it is “dangerous.”
Do you prefer the way your body looks from the side? It is a question being asked all over TikTok.
The “side view” has become a popular term used on the social media app to describe how a person looks from the side.
Interestingly, it seems to be mostly women that have embraced the trend. They post videos to make fun of their bodies from that very specific angle.
Usually, the side view reveals that a woman’s stomach isn’t flat or it’s used to point out their bum isn’t round like a Kardashian. You’re either too flat or not flat enough.
Social media users will also stand on their side to showcase their clothing size after people suggested they look smaller.
Women also share videos where they claim they liked their bodies before seeing their side profiles on camera.
Women even reveal plastic surgery they have had to change their side profiles and show off their results.
The concept has become so popular on the app that one content creator shared a video where she was facing the camera with text that read: “Me, thinking everyone is in love with me.”
She then panned to her side profile, and explained to her followers she was still “loveable” even from the side.
A perfect side profile remains subjective, but on the internet it seems pretty clear. You are meant to have big boobs, a big bum and a flat stomach.
Plus-size model Sixtine has called out how ridiculous the trend is in a very pointed TikTok where she responded to hate she’d received about her side profile.
“I think it is really funny when people are like ‘oh my god, that is not a flat stomach,’ call the police,” she joked.
Sixtine then turned to the side and explained that women are “allowed” to have “curves” but that having stomach fat is somehow still seen as “catastrophic.”
“It’s a stomach, bro, and it isn’t flat. Get over it,” she said.
The video has been viewed over 200,000 times, and plenty of her followers were quick to weigh in.
“I would like to adopt this energy,” someone commented.
“Your videos helped me realise my stomach not being flat is not a big deal,” another shared.
“Gorgeous and powerful,” someone wrote.
Dr Aileen Alegado, a registered clinical psychologist, explained the side on trend is just another attempt to make people feel there is a right or wrong way of looking.
“It promotes insecurity and body dissatisfaction by shaming those people who do not fit the certain mould,” she said.
Dr Alegado pointed out that this trend should not be ignored because it is “dangerous,” and pushes forward scary ideals.
“Ultimately, it promotes disordered eating and preoccupation with weight/appearance that becomes closely tied to someone’s sense of self worth and identity,” she said.
“It also subscribes to the myth that happiness can be achieved by controlling one’s appearance.”
Originally published as Do you prefer your body from the side? The question is taking over TikTok
