III. Pro-Eating Disorder Websites: What Should be the Feminist Response?

I inadvertently discovered the world of pro-eating disorder1 websites a few years ago, while surfing the web for research information. Navigating through hundreds of autobiographical narratives of girls and women describing their struggles with anorexia and bulimia, and their current choices to strive for society’s thinness ideal through self-induced starvation and/or purging was distressing to say the least. They shared tips and ‘thinspiration’ with other likeminded readers, posted images of both waif-like models and ‘real-life’ anorexic women, and created huge support groups through mailing lists and chat rooms for anyone wishing to adopt or maintain an eating disorder. When I discussed the sites with others at conferences and in graduate seminars, most were shocked and intrigued by my discovery. Apparently, few knew about this underground movement that was in fact so easily discoverable within a few keystrokes. While it seemed that much of the academic world remained oblivious, it didn’t take long for the media to catch on to the phenomenon. In the past year popular newspapers and magazines have all presented exposes. Media and internet articles include quotations from eating disorder professionals who, equating the disorders with ‘breast cancer’ (NY Times – Morris, 2002) and alcoholism (USA Today – Hellmich, 2001), can’t understand why women would be purposely attempting to cultivate a deadly ‘disease’. Heather Mudgett, writing for the website Suite101.com (2001), writes about her experience reading the sites, ‘Each time I’m dumbfounded, as to why on earth anyone would PROMOTE these horrible disorders.’ Likewise, an article from the British website, femail.com, described the sites as ‘gruesome’, ‘pathetic’ and ‘sinister’.2 Indeed, the articles often demonize the creators of the sites, blaming the ‘anorexics’ infamous defensive talents’ (Time.com, 2001), ‘misguided ideas’ (CWK network – Sodano, 2002) and group ‘delusion’ (Salon.com – Brown, 2001) for the seemingly infectious spread of eating disorders. Furthermore, groups opposing the websites, such as S.C.a.R.E.D (Support, Concern, and Resources for Eating Disorders)3 and S.P.A.P. (Stopping Pro-Anorexia Promotion),4 have developed