#DropThePlus: Why Are Women Unfairly Labeled?

Recently Buzzfeed posted an article about “plus-sized” models starting a social medial movement with the hashtag DropThePlus. Most of the models being labeled as “plus-sized” we in fact average: Being between US sizes 4 and 8.

Australian model Stefania Ferrario was growing tired of being thrown into the plus category, and wanted to simply be recognized as a model. “I am a model FULL STOP,” she wrote on her Instagram. “Unfortunately in the modeling industry if you’re above a US size 4 you are considered plus size, and so I’m often labelled a ‘plus size’ model. I do NOT find this empowering. … I’m NOT proud to be called ‘plus’, but I AM proud to be called a ‘model’, that is my profession!”

The movement has taken off on several social medial platforms, as more women want a chance to define themselves, positively. Ajay Rochester, host of the Australian version of The Biggest Loser is partnered with Ms. Ferrario on the campaign. Sh agrees that the terminology is grossly outdated and is not a positive outlook for women of today.

“It’s dangerous thinking and dangerous labeling and it’s outdated,” Rochester wrote on her blog. “We don’t label anyone else that way: chef and plus sized chef, comedian and plus sized comedian, doctor and plus sized doctor, teacher and plus sized teacher. So why models and/or women? We are humans, we come in all shapes and sizes.”

How do you feel about this movement? Do you find it empowering, or simply another passing social media “experiment”? Do you think the young women of tomorrow need the added stress of being labeled “plus-sized” as apposed to just… A woman? We would love to hear your thoughts.