The “Megan Knees” trend is a relatively recent social media phenomenon that involves individuals taking photos of themselves kneeling in front of mirrors to showcase their curves and overall physique. It is unclear who exactly started the trend, but it is believed to have gained popularity in early 2021 on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
To understand the trend, it is essential to delve into the history of body positivity movements, particularly those that have focused on celebrating curves. The term “thick” was first popularized in the early 2000s, with rapper Lil Wayne coining the phrase “she got a big booty, so I call her big booty” in his song “Lollipop.” The term gained more widespread usage in the early 2010s, with social media users embracing it as a term of empowerment for those with curvier bodies.
The body positivity movement gained significant traction in the mid-2010s, with models such as Ashley Graham and Tess Holliday breaking barriers in the fashion industry by gracing magazine covers and walking the runway. In addition to the representation of curvy bodies in mainstream media, social media platforms such as Instagram have played a significant role in promoting body positivity and diversity by allowing individuals to showcase their bodies in a non-judgmental space.
In recent years, social media trends have been centered around promoting body positivity and self-love. In 2019, the “bottle cap challenge” went viral, with celebrities and social media influencers showcasing their athleticism by unscrewing a bottle cap with a roundhouse kick. However, a new version of the challenge, dubbed the “bottle cap butt challenge,” emerged, with individuals using their buttocks to unscrew the bottle cap. The challenge was widely criticized for sexualizing women’s bodies and objectifying them.
Similarly, the Megan Knees trend has been both praised and criticized. While some see it as an empowering way to celebrate curvy bodies, others view it as a form of objectification that reduces women to their physical appearance. Additionally, some have raised concerns about the impact of such trends on the mental health of young women who may feel pressure to conform to a certain body type.
It is worth noting that the Megan Knees trend is not unique in its focus on showcasing bodies. Other trends, such as the “thigh gap” and the “ab crack,” have gained popularity in the past, but have also been criticized for promoting unrealistic and potentially harmful body ideals.
In conclusion, while the exact origins of the Megan Knees trend remain unclear, it is part of a larger trend of social media users celebrating their bodies and promoting body positivity. However, it is important to be mindful of the potential impact such trends may have on the mental health of individuals, particularly young women, and to continue to work towards a society that values and celebrates bodies of all shapes and sizes.
