PRO-ANOREXIC WEBSITES
My thoughts
Slowly more and more pro-anorexic sites are taken off the net by people who think it�s the right thing to do. We go to these sites and join online clubs and communities to get support, where there is nowhere else to get it. Here in America, we have the right to free speech, to express ourselves and with the banning of pro-anorexic sites we are tasking away that right, which is unconstitutional. No one forces these sites upon anyone. It is like any other website, you aren�t forced to go to them, and it�s your own free will that you do.
When I found my first pro-anorexic site, I first typed in "Anorexia" into the search box. A list of categories came up, along which was one called "pro-anorexia". Too be honest I was shocked. I thought to myself "How could anyone be PRO-ANOREXIC??" The first website I clicked on was an MSN community, called Stick Figures, which was recently shut down. There were things like "Tips and Tricks", "foods to eat/avoid", etc. But there was also a sense of community. You weren�t criticized for who you were and all were welcome. When you first arrive and get aquatinted with people and you�re not anorexic, they�ll tell you NOT to get involved with it. But if you have an anorexic instinct like myself, you become intrigued by how these people control their lives and you want what they have. Unless you already have this instinct, I believe it is impossible to "catch what they have", so to speak. If you aren�t pro-anorexic, you probably are disgusted with these websites and will never visit one again. But with me, once I found one. I wanted and needed more. To someone who is not pro-anorexic it�s hard to understand. Even if you are not pro-anorexic, it is necessary to respect those who are, and not take away our freedom of speech.
Pro-anorexia Web sites (called "pro-ana" sites) are cropping up all over the Internet. These sites tell visitors that anorexia is a beautiful thing-an art from. They say it's your right to refuse to eat, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with starving yourself. The girls in the chat rooms will even give you advice about how to fast for days, and techniques for purging. But they're lying. "no matter what these Web sites say, anorexia is a physical and mental illness that can kill you," explains Shelby Thorpe, Ph.D., clinical advisor of Monte Nido, an eating disorder clinic in California. "Two out of ten anorexics die from the disease-those are pretty high odds. Once you get caught in the grips of anorexia, it's very hard to get out alive."
The biggest snare with these "skinny is better" sites is that they are glamorizing anorexia, making a real disease look like a viable diet option. Simply checking out pro-ana sites, even if just to satisfy your curiosity, can be hazardous to your heath, according to Holly Hoff, director of programs for the National Eating Disorders Association. "Girls are going to these sites and often end up picking up a new eating disorder," she says. "Once girls visit the sites and start reading things like the 'Thin Commandments' or seeing pictures of emaciated celebrities, they begin to think anorexia is OK. Hey, why not give it a try?! What girls might not realize is that these sites are promoting and perpetuating life-threatening behaviors."
Of course, eyebrows are raising that telling you about these sites in Teen will make you want to log on. And maybe you will. But it won't be easy. Thanks in part to Hoff's efforts, Yahoo recently removed pro-ana sites from their search engine. While this is a good step, this definitely doesn't erase the problem. New sites show up every day. Remember, anorexia is a disease, not a fashion statement. It's also not a diet. It can kill you. No matter what these disgusting sites tell you and any other girl, that's the truth.
Stupid, stupid people. Instead of taking down pornography sites and what not, they are more worried about the way people live their lives. I am so pissed at this article. They only show the "bad" side to these websites. Some girl might get caught up in it, but like I said above, I think it's already in you before you visit these sites. This is why I think it's important to collect as many screen names as possible, so that we still have people to talk to, even if all these sites do get shut down. Some people can be so ignorant (the people at Teen Magazine). I have been on both sides of the issue. At first I was totally against pro-ana sites, but I realize that they are much needed for support. When you take away these sites you take away the wonderful support that each individual receives.
Got something to add or comment on? (I do not want any rude comments, you can still have your opinion without being rude about it!!! Thanks.) Email me or sign the guestbook.
Also, I'm collecting a list of screen names (aim, yahoo, msn, and icq) and email addresses of people who are pro-anorexic, so that even if all the sites get shut down, we will still have someone to talk to. If you are interested in being on the list, please write your screen names and email address in the guestbook or email them to me, saying you want your screen names/email address on the list.
Screen name list
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