Does anyone else find this disgusting and offensive?

[Sugarinii]

The new version scares me. They're almost too happy xD

I know. It's kind of weird.

And all the little hearts floating up from them is distracting. >.>

[ggagahc]

I was interested in the gender trends here, so I did a little impromptu survey of this thread. First, let me say there was a lot more girls than boys responding, so take from it what you will.
I also did not include those who did not have a gender listed, or those who responded to a post that wasn't necessarily about the game (like the debate about whether soda is bad for you or not).
______________________________________
Basically, this was my count and the results:
27 Girls total
25 found it offensive (roughly 93%)
2 did not find it offensive (roughly 7 %)


7 Boys total
3 found it offensive (roughly 43%)
4 did not find it offensive (roughly 57%)
_______________________________

I find it interesting that even though there were more girls who responded, there was still a greater number of boys (2 girls vs 4 boys) who did not find it offensive. As unscientific as this may be, I think it shows that weight issues still pertain mostly to women, and society buts much more pressure on women to be thin. Therefore when we see something like this, we are much more likely to take offense. I think many of us realize how weight issues affected us growing up, so we are quick to defend the younger generation who might be more susceptible to this type of advertising.
Along those lines, the fact that more women were moved to respond to this topic can also prove that this weight is a more sensitive subject to women.
Too bad we're not in the reneissance days, when being voluptuous meant you were healthy

Again, a disclaimer: This is just an impromptu survey, please do not attack me on it's validity! i know it is not scientific!!

I can't believe there's more guys that don't see the offensiveness in the game than those that do. Sure you can say guys don't understand, but I'd always figured that people (girls and guys) that play Neopets would be, generally, understanding people, since Neopets is that kind of an environment. But I suppose I'm working off of stereotypes here and that's not very good.

It's great that they changed the game. It does show that Neopets is listening to the players and it shows that they've got some ethical values in em. ^_^

I don't recall who mentioned the media and how they're supporting this huge craze of skinnyness, but I just wanted to make a small comment on that. I think that the media DOES support such craziness (anorexia and all that) but realize that there are people making a stand. I mean, Oprah is a great example, I believe, and she seems to be very influential in young women's lives (from what I've observed in my friends). Comedians like Ralfie May (definitely mispelled that) and Mo'Nique are big and very much proud of it. Even a show that I LOVE, America's Next Top Model, disapproves of anorexia and bulimia. Janice Dickinson might not (as much), but she doesn't really count since she's so crazily fake that she's irrelevant at this point (I still love her though). Even in magazines, I remember when Mary Kate (or Ashley, I can't remember) was anorexic and all the magazines basically said she had a problem. I *suppose* that's a good thing...you know, making it sound like a problem (which it is) as opposed to saying, "You go, Mary kate!"

Ok, so those don't really apply to Neopets since those are mostly things that involve girls in their teens or so, but I won't go into kid shows or kid media...because they're not very helpful to my argument. I know one show from Disney Channel (Thats So Raven) has talked about weight issues and that and it's good to see that the Disney Channel supports all sizes! ^_^ But yeah...not going into little kids' shows.

And that's my opinion. I was going to mention Project Runway since I saw thelilbear's signature and I think that guy is from Project Runway, but I don't know much about the show or the fashion industry to talk about that. Modeling industry, I know more about. And hey, there are plus size models so don't diss the modeling industry yet.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, yay, the game has been changed. Kudos to Neopets. Though I'm wondering. Isn't it Neopets that decides how the game will be? So...if that's the case, how on earth did they even come up with this idea and why was it approved?

[amandajolong]

i do find that to be disheartening, children are on this site... while it may be offensive to some adults, it's not a big problem, imo. as adults we can clearly read through the 'trash' and disregard it.. children, for the most part, aren't at that mental level... weight comments bothered me up until i was 18-20.. and i was thin.. didn't think i was though.. which is a prime example as to what those messages can do to children...

shame shame

[aichmophile]

And that's my opinion. I was going to mention Project Runway since I saw thelilbear's signature and I think that guy is from Project Runway, but I don't know much about the show or the fashion industry to talk about that. Modeling industry, I know more about. And hey, there are plus size models so don't diss the modeling industry yet.

Actually, it's often average-sized women who are "plus-size" models. My sister, who's got a great body of which I am jealous, would be a "plus-size" model if she were to get into that side of the fashion industry. (She is a designer.) I agree, some plus-size models are on the large side, but mostly they seem to be average women labeled as plus-size by an industry full of women who are merely racks to display the clothing. If you're naturally thing, then fine, but if you're dieting and/or starving yourself to get that way, it's not cool. Also, as a size 8, I would be a "plus-size" model (if I were pretty enough, I mean).

[matchbow]

And that's my opinion. I was going to mention Project Runway since I saw thelilbear's signature and I think that guy is from Project Runway, but I don't know much about the show or the fashion industry to talk about that. Modeling industry, I know more about. And hey, there are plus size models so don't diss the modeling industry yet.

Actually, it's often average-sized women who are "plus-size" models. My sister, who's got a great body of which I am jealous, would be a "plus-size" model if she were to get into that side of the fashion industry. (She is a designer.) I agree, some plus-size models are on the large side, but mostly they seem to be average women labeled as plus-size by an industry full of women who are merely racks to display the clothing. If you're naturally thing, then fine, but if you're dieting and/or starving yourself to get that way, it's not cool. Also, as a size 8, I would be a "plus-size" model (if I were pretty enough, I mean).

Where are you getting the idea that plus-size models are so small? Plus-size models wear North-American size 12 and up. Your size 8 would not be close to a plus-size. normal sized people are not labelled plus-size, it is more that plus-size people are labelled normal-sized by industries that depend on their consumption. or maybe industires don't do thus, but the people themselves doing this, because the majority of people in North America are technically overweight, and though this is frowned upon, it is still the norm.

[mercurius]

Does anyone know where the game is actually located? I look for it but it doesn't show up for me. I'm thinking my language settings have to be set to something different than English. It actually dishes out a good amount of neopoints.

[stampsyne]

OK, now I am genuinely disturbed. Not with the game, but with what happened.

Complaining about the stereotypes of larger girls in the game results in the total REMOVAL of larger girls.

The game is all PC and such ... but ... I am saddened.

[ggagahc]

And that's my opinion. I was going to mention Project Runway since I saw thelilbear's signature and I think that guy is from Project Runway, but I don't know much about the show or the fashion industry to talk about that. Modeling industry, I know more about. And hey, there are plus size models so don't diss the modeling industry yet.

Actually, it's often average-sized women who are "plus-size" models. My sister, who's got a great body of which I am jealous, would be a "plus-size" model if she were to get into that side of the fashion industry. (She is a designer.) I agree, some plus-size models are on the large side, but mostly they seem to be average women labeled as plus-size by an industry full of women who are merely racks to display the clothing. If you're naturally thing, then fine, but if you're dieting and/or starving yourself to get that way, it's not cool. Also, as a size 8, I would be a "plus-size" model (if I were pretty enough, I mean).

Where are you getting the idea that plus-size models are so small? Plus-size models wear North-American size 12 and up. Your size 8 would not be close to a plus-size. normal sized people are not labelled plus-size, it is more that plus-size people are labelled normal-sized by industries that depend on their consumption. or maybe industires don't do thus, but the people themselves doing this, because the majority of people in North America are technically overweight, and though this is frowned upon, it is still the norm.

I just watched a clip from last year featuring Toccara Jones, a famous plus-size model (from America's Next Top Model), and she mentioned that in the modeling industry, plus-size is considered sizes 10-16, where the size 12 and 14 gets the most work, and the 10s and 16s get *some* work. I don't know exactly what is the average weight for women, but Toccara is 180 pounds and a size 10-12 so she's a plus-size model, yet she's still successful and very much proud of her weight. My point? Uhh...hmm...I think my point is your example of being considered plus-size at a size 8 is not exactly valid. You *would* be considered plus-size by other models, but you'd be considered too thin to be considered plus-size by plus-size standards.

So yeah.

[Green Lady of the knoll]

Wow, now I am a little confused as to how sizing works...

I just googled Toccara Jones (since I didn't know who she was) and I am really not sure how she can be 180 pounds and wear size 10-12. At 155 I was wearing 13/14 in Mudd jeans and Jordache & Lee. I am sure that's what she said she was, and I can't see any reason why she would lie, but how could she weigh a good 25 pounds more and wear 1 or 2 sizes smaller? I have a large frame, My OB checked my wrist measurement to determine my frame size (she says you can pull a measuring tape tight to the bone regardless of weight because of the way fat builds there) 6.5 is considered large build and I am 7.2 so yeah (alot of women's watches don't fit me). Is the difference in the clothes she is picking or the way she wears them? I just can't imagine that frame could make a difference that big! Are all size 12 jeans the same size? I am not complaining my Dr thinks I am healthy and so does my hubby, I am just really curious as to wether I am the size oddity or she is!
I guess that goes to show how varying our view points on size can be.

btw Cranberry, I checked out that site you had posted, and thought it was very interesting finding out what triggered the problems for those girls.

[Pink]

Green, it's all a matter of how you're shaped. I'm 205 right now and wear a normal 18. When I'm 180, I'm around a 14. I'm curious on where these plus sized models actually are. When I look though plus sized clothing catalogues, it's all skinny people modeling the clothes, but maybe I'm just not looking in the right ones. Actually that's my biggest complaint about plus sized clothes. Just because someone makes the clothes bigger, it doesn't mean that they'll look good on plus sized people. When you flip through the catalogue, you see it on the skinny chick and think "oh that's cute! and it's in my size." Order it, and assume it looks good. I think that someone needs to seriously think aobut plus sized fashion and do something about it.

[aichmophile]

Wow, now I am a little confused as to how sizing works...

I just googled Toccara Jones (since I didn't know who she was) and I am really not sure how she can be 180 pounds and wear size 10-12. At 155 I was wearing 13/14 in Mudd jeans and Jordache & Lee. I am sure that's what she said she was, and I can't see any reason why she would lie, but how could she weigh a good 25 pounds more and wear 1 or 2 sizes smaller? I have a large frame, My OB checked my wrist measurement to determine my frame size (she says you can pull a measuring tape tight to the bone regardless of weight because of the way fat builds there) 6.5 is considered large build and I am 7.2 so yeah (alot of women's watches don't fit me). Is the difference in the clothes she is picking or the way she wears them? I just can't imagine that frame could make a difference that big! Are all size 12 jeans the same size? I am not complaining my Dr thinks I am healthy and so does my hubby, I am just really curious as to wether I am the size oddity or she is!
I guess that goes to show how varying our view points on size can be.

btw Cranberry, I checked out that site you had posted, and thought it was very interesting finding out what triggered the problems for those girls.

Oh, clothes are definitely different sizes depending on the brand. I suddenly became a size 6 or smaller at the Gap! I can actually range from 4-12 depending on the company and the piece of clothing. Sometimes sizes will even vary within a store, as I've found trying on shirts and bras in the same day.

I didn't mean to imply that I'm actually plus-sized; I know I'm below that line, though my figure is quite similar to that of the previously mentioned Toccara Jones. I just meant that plus-size models are often women who are average and up, and not just 12+. Dang, guys, 12 isn't even plus-size. It's getting there, but it's not big.

[Huggles]

Not commenting on the game, but if you want to get technical, plus sizes or "women's" clothing usually start at one size up from an average or "misses, missy" size 16/18. A 16/18 in a plus sized article of clothing is going to be bigger than a 16/18 in a misses size, which can lead to some confusion. I weigh about 190 lbs, and can wear a misses size 14 pant, but need a 16/18 plus or women's size shirt. Technically,the minimum size a plus sized model can be would then be a 16/18, or around 160+ lbs depending on your height. Which is rarely the case for models labeled as such. I'm guessing that anyone over about 140 lbs would be considered plus sized for a model.

Juniors and teen clothing lines are an entirely different matter. The plus or extra sizes in those brands are rarely, if ever, anywhere near misses or womens plus sizes. A 10-year-old girl, a 15-year-old girl, and a 25-year-old woman can all be a size 10 and obviously not have the same body mass. I'd probably need a 4XL to be able to wear most juniors shirts.

Still, sizes do vary by brand, style, and fit; so even size 12 jeans made by the same company might not be exactly the same size if they're different styles or even fits(classic, relaxed, low rise, mid rise, high rise, etc.).

This is what I've gathered from working in a department store, on a mall, in the Midwest, for 2 years.

[VirtualMetal]

Either way, the whole fasion world is mental. It's clear by the way they call women "plus sized" just because they're not some bone rattler. It's all banjaxed if you ask me. The Brats drive me mad too. When I was a kid it was all Sindy and Barbie.

[Deevil]

I just googled Toccara Jones (since I didn't know who she was) and I am really not sure how she can be 180 pounds and wear size 10-12. At 155 I was wearing 13/14 in Mudd jeans and Jordache & Lee. I am sure that's what she said she was, and I can't see any reason why she would lie, but how could she weigh a good 25 pounds more and wear 1 or 2 sizes smaller?

Are you and Toccara the same height? If she is taller than you, she could easily weigh more but be a smaller size. But even going by what somebody should wear for thier weight and height isn't alway accurate. Back when I was in my early and mid 20's, I weighed 130-135 pounds and wore a size 1 (and could fit into the size 14's in the childrens section) . Nobody would believe me that I weighed over 100 pounds...but at least I won plenty of plushies from the "guess your weight" games at amusement parks and fairs. Sadly, with age my metabolism has slowed down, and I can no longer eat an entire pan pizza for dinner and be a size one.

[_jennythegreat_]

Was fascinated to read up on this thread at long last and find they retooled the game and it's back on the site. I went to have a peek and it's really fine now. The gals just go when they drink the innocuous colored stuff and when they drink le tea-- they no longer "plump up" and "slim down" and get messier and tidier-- thank goodness. lol

What an adventure in activism this was to behold! Obviously the numbers of people who let TNT know their displeasure really made a difference. Just goes to show people really still can have an impact when they make an effort. It's gratifying to know that.