The Fetishization of the BBW

Fat activist blogger Kyla The Great created a post where she explains the difference between the preference of a certain body type (specifically the fat body) and the fetishization of BBW (Big, Beautiful Women.) She explains that it is very possible to prefer the fat body type to other sizes while still respecting and acknowledging that "fat people are people too". On the other hand, the term BBW has been attached to the large women who are often seen in fetish videos where they are viewed merely as their fat instead of their entire person. This reflects the objectification of women in pornography, yet in fat fetish pornography the emphasis is on the fat itself.  As Kyla states, fetishes mean that someone finds something desirable that is typically viewed as undesirable to the majority. To fetishize fat means to further its distance from the idea of what is normal and acceptable in our society in terms of body type, and to instead create an idea that it is socially acceptable to view fat bodies as unattractive and strange. Furthermore, this maintains the image that fat women are desperate and will accept and form of affection and appreciation that comes their way. They are expected to be grateful for this kind of objectification simply because many believe that they do not receive any attention from potential suitors.

"A fetish is the sexualization of something that is not conventionally seen as sexually desirable. A fat fetishist is a person who fetishizes fat, typically seeing it as something that is not desirable to the majority. Hence, their widespread harassment of fat bodied people (especially on Tumblr and Flickr). Many send messages or reblog photos, assuming that their advances will be met with open arms (legs ?) because fat people are not mainstream attractive, and will appreciate any positive attention given to them."  

(http://kylathegreat.tumblr.com/post/12539225732/for-the-record-preferences-and-fetishes-are-not-the)