social control, group think, and body image

Hi all. I'm new to the group.  Wandered from a neighbor's vox.  Something my friend wrote in her LJ put my mind on this subject, and I was wondering what you thought.

"It has recently come to my attention that there is a large group of irrational women out there who are beating the "If You Want Less Fat You Hate Freedom" drum. It's as if wanting to take care of *your own body* is a sin. Don't dare talk about *yourself* or *your own body* in front of those that don't agree with you, because they'll hiss at you, label you, and stop listening to you. You don't have to say anything *about them*. Their boundaries are so poor that, when you are talking about yourself, they filter it to be all about them."

What do you think? Thoughts? Comments?

I felt torn.  On one hand, I support and treasure personal choice and personal freedom.  You want to be vegan?  Or flaggelate in your spirituality?  Or whatever else have you to your own body?  Fine, so long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, and you can express yourself AND let me express myself and we are still friends, or at least civil.  But I'm not in denial over the way we develop our ideas, our ideals, our fixations and beliefs.  Socialization is cruel all too often, but a fact of life.  And part of that 'be and let be' idea of mine includes my right to speak to the issues that I believe could behind some of the issues my fellows have.  Body image.  Sex identity.  Gender roles.  Relating with others.  All of it.

I often recognize when someone is trying to assert control over another, even subtly.  And I don't like it.  But I do want an exchange of ideas.  How can we make the best decisions without all the information?

Apologies in advance for typos and whatever else have you...