Blog 3

The pro-ana websites and blogs associated with them should be shut down as quickly as possible. These websites are very bad for young girls to see because they are very convincing and could sway someone into doing something that is very bad for their health. The health concerns associated with eating disorders are very bad. This can be further proved because the website even says it, "These are dangerous, potentially life-threatening disorders that you cannot choose, catch or learn." An eating disorder destroys one's health. This is shown by the story of Claire. Her body is so damaged from an eating disorder that it cannot even keep itself warm on hot days in Florida. The story of chaos also shows the potential health concerns associated with eating disorders. She tells in her story that she has to go to the hospital a dozen times for "heart things." Eating disorders can cause anything from heart palpitations to cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest usually leads to death. It also says that she hasn't had her kidneys or spleen checked, and that her spleen is probably near the point of rupturing. These websites teach vulnerable young girls bad habits that are very hard to get out of once they are started.

The pro-ana websites and blogs should be allowed to stay in existence. These websites are a great way for young girls to talk about how they are feeling with others who feel the same way. This allows them to do so without being judged by others. As Clairegirl says about the website, “And I don’t have to worry about them judging me for how I feel.” Anorexia and bulimia are choices, a website cannot make someone do something they don’t want to do. The ones who choose to become anorexic or bulimic do it because they want to. The websites just help young girls out when it comes to the eating disorders and how to do it right. One website says, “Please Note: anorexia is not a diet. Bulimia is not a weight-loss plan. These are dangerous, potentially life-threatening disorders that you cannot choose, catch or learn. If you do not already have an eating disorder that’s wonderful! If you’re looking for a new diet, if you want to drop a few pounds to be slimmer or more popular or whatever, if you’re generally content with yourself and just want to look a bit better in a bikini, go away. Find a weight watchers meeting. Better yet, eat moderate portions of healthy food and go for a walk.” This quote shows that the website doesn’t want someone to do it if they want to and tells them the risks, so if they do end up having an eating disorder it is because they chose it.

The pro-ana websites and blogs should be monitored. If the websites become to extreme they should be taken down. They also should be taken down if there is a girl talking about suicide because she is so unhappy with herself image. They should be kept up because they do allow young girls and women in the same situations to talk to each other. They can share their thoughts with people who are feeling just like they are without being judged or having to worry about being made fun of or shunned because they have an eating disorder. Each website absolutely needs to have the risks of eating disorders in fine print before someone enters the website or joins a blog. This could possibly prevent someone from a life-threatening disorder.