In recent years, the celebration of “dad bods” has emerged as a positive trend, challenging conventional notions of attractiveness by promoting the idea that healthy body types are appealing, irrespective of conforming to unrealistic beauty standards. The term gained prominence in 2015 through an article by Mackenzie Pearson, who described the dad bod as a balance between a beer gut and a super-fit physique, making men appear more relatable and attractive.

The appeal of dad bods was not solely about men’s body confidence; it inadvertently addressed women’s body image struggles. Dad bods, being less intimidating than perfectly fit physiques, provided a sense of comfort and relatability for women. Pearson’s article received a positive response from men grateful for a new perspective on body image.

However, a recent TikTok video by real estate agent and Etsy shop owner Rachel Whipple highlighted a double standard in the celebration of body types. While dad bods are embraced, mom bods are often subjected to criticism. Whipple questioned societal expectations that mothers should quickly “bounce back” after childbirth, contrasting this with the acceptance of dad bods. Her video went viral, sparking conversations about the disparate treatment of men and women regarding post-pregnancy bodies.

The video resonated with many viewers, prompting discussions about the societal pressures on women to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. Women recounted their experiences of being pressured to lose baby weight, while men seemed to face less scrutiny for weight gain after becoming parents. The conversation expanded to address broader beauty standards for women, including hairlessness, slim figures, and unrealistic age expectations.

Unrealistic beauty standards for women are perpetuated through various channels, from advertisements promoting diets and skincare products to film industry expectations. This double standard, where older men are considered attractive while women their age are not, contributes to women’s struggles with body image, leading to mental health issues like depression and eating disorders.

Despite the challenges, there are movements aiming to challenge these unrealistic standards. Rachel Whipple expressed a mix of emotions in response to the overwhelming reaction to her video – happiness seeing women embrace their bodies, grief for the existing state of affairs, relief at finding allies, anger at misogynistic comments, and hope for a more accepting future. The hope is that, with continued efforts, mom bods will gain the recognition and acceptance that dad bods currently enjoy.