Entertainment

Kristin Cavallari Slams Parent Shamers

by Ashani Jodha

No woman should ever be publicly and viciously attacked for raising her kids the way she feels is best, but unfortunately, in the Internet world of 2016, that isn't always the case. And former Laguna Beach alumna Kristin Cavallari is now well aware of the power that nameless users on social media have over attacking one's mothering capabilities. After a photo she posted on her Instagram page showing an adorable beach moment Cavallari shared with her kids sparked an immediate outrage from commenters who believed The Hills star's children were too thin, Cavallari has fought back, in the best way possible.

In the photo, Cavallari showed the backs of her two young boys during a trip to the beach. "Even though we’re not in the states, were still celebrating,” the former reality star captioned alongside her family vacation shot. “Hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th! #MyGuys.” But instead of responding with complimentary best wishes back to the star, an avalanche of followers condemned Cavallari for her children's bodies. "I can count all the spinal vertebrates," one user wrote. “I understand you live a very strict dietary lifestyle but these children are very obviously nutritionally deficient,” another chipped in.

“Seeing pictures of your boys and how they look is a bit shocking to see!” another wrote. “I know you cook healthy but to see the bones just doesn’t seem normal, sorry!” It was awful to see so many negative comments, and luckily, Cavallari swiftly respond to her haters, making clear that this trend of "parent shaming" needs to stop.

“Yep, I starve my children,” she wrote in a comment on her own post. “Just blocked the most people I’ve ever blocked in my entire life. Happy 4th hahaha.”

Parent shaming seemingly comes like clockwork whenever a celebrity posts any displays of affection for their kids on social media, whether it's a shot of a kid using a pacifier or a baby with their ears pierced. The criticizing and blaming of high-profile figures has become a phenomenon, thanks to the accessibility, reach, and anonymity that social media facilitates. Though parental controversy has existed for decades, shaming is in full force these days thanks to how easy it can be to call someone out, but that tends to lead to hurtful, unnecessary comments.

Celebrities may be famous, but that doesn't mean they deserve to be shamed for the way they raise their children. It's good to see Cavallari deliver a message meant to disrupt the negativity and prove she's not taking her commenters' criticisms to heart, but instead, living her life and raising her kids exactly the way she feels is best.