The Kardashian clan is a powerful force in our world due to their massive social media presence, trends and the drama surrounding them.

Recently, Khloé Kardashian tweeted, “So far no stretch marks. So I’m happy about that the perks of being chubby previously. Lol my tummy knows how to stretch.” She received both positive and negative comments on this tweet.

Some say she needs to show more body positivity and embrace the stretch marks if she ever gets them. One person tweeted, “Stretch marks are tiger stripes you earn as a mom. I wish celebrities would embrace pregnancy and not worry about their body image. Do you want to see what a real body of a mother of four looks like?”

I see this individual’s point about embracing that part of your body, but there needs to be body positivity on all spectrums. You can be body positive about not having stretch marks, cellulite and a lot of other body “imperfections.” Why put another woman down for embracing how her body reacts during pregnancy?

Now, of course, the Kardashians have tweeted other controversial ideas about body image.

Kim Kardashian once said having the flu is a great diet and a great way to lose weight. With this, it is difficult to use them as an example for body positivity. This could be encouraging people to gain some sort of illness to lose weight.

I love the Kardashians and watch their reality show every Sunday, but I also understand they have a massive influential platform. Because of this, they should be more aware about what they say regarding body image. They have the “perfect” body, but this is only due to plastic surgery procedures documented on the show and other beauty enhancing treatments.

However, looking at how the Kardashians comment on body image, we can also see the celebrity and social media culture of body positivity.

Through all social media platforms, there needs to be more body positivity. That includes being positive about all body types, “flaws” and others. We see on Instagram all of these celebrities doing sponsorship deals on Flat Tummy Tea and detoxes, when in reality, these don’t do much for your health at all. It has been shown that detoxes can actually do more harm to your body than good.

There was a body-positive Instagrammer who was shamed for removing her extra skin. Without this extra skin, she can still be a role model for body positivity, and she is allowed to do anything to her body that makes her happy.

This goes for both men and women. Men should understand that they can be body positive too. Men aren’t required to have a perfect six pack to be considered worthy or attractive, just as women shouldn’t need a slim waist to be considered in the same vein.

Even with the Kardashians, the family once told Khloé she needed to lose weight for the brand. This rhetoric is probably said all the time in that industry and even within a lot of families.

To combat this issue, body positivity should be taught in schools. There needs to be some sort of education that teaches young children that the “ideal” body type is a fabrication in society and that all bodies are normal as long as they are healthy.

Celebrities and famous Instagrammers need to understand their platforms and send out good messages about body image, not harmful ones. The Kardashians can be more open to talking about cosmetic procedures, be more positive about their “flaws” and talk about them more with their audience.

Jaime is a sophomore in LAS.

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