Ariana Grande’s new music video has sparked a national conversation about body and beauty standards. The 33-year-old singer has faced attention and commentary throughout her career regarding her appearance, with the current focus being on the increasing visibility of her body’s bone structure.

Body Image and Celebrity Culture

Grande has pushed back against discourse that she’s anything other than healthy, and repeatedly insisted that she doesn’t think commenting on people’s bodies is acceptable. Her representative told People magazine that she would be stepping back from public life after her current tour finishes due to the ‘endless, ongoing public scrutiny.’

Experts say that judging famous women by their appearances is nothing new, but the impact can transcend a one-off comment or snap judgment about celebrities. ‘I would just check our intentions behind it,’ said Johanna Kandel, founder and CEO of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders. ‘What is the purpose of it? … What is the intent versus the impact of it?’

Talking to Children About Body Image

For parents talking with children, psychologist Rachel Goldman suggests shifting the conversation away from judging bodies to talking about the messages society is sending. ‘Ultimately, we want young people to understand that their body is just one part of who they are. Their worth isn’t determined by their size or shape, and neither is anyone else’s,’ she said.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.