Body positivity: Identity, community, and self-care on Tumblr.com
Abstract
What is considered to be an ideal body size and shape for individuals is variable by culture and time period and influenced by many sociocultural factors. The current trend in the United States, in recent years, has been to require thinness as a precondition of being considered attractive and healthy. In light of their experience of their embodiment of the self being outside of the cultural ideal, fat people have reported experiencing negative social pressure such as shaming, stigmatization, pressure to diet, inadequate health care, prejudice, and discrimination, all of which contribute to a sense of isolation. Further, research has shown that those who are overweight or obese are at significantly higher risk for negative health outcomes. However, societal over-demonizing of fat, and by extension fat bodies, in Western culture has led to discrimination against fat people. In response to the experience of discrimination and shaming attached to fatness, a pro-fat movement began in the United States and elsewhere in the latter part of the 20th century, and it continues today. Part of this movement has developed into an online community on Tumblr described as the body-positivity community. Exploration of this community through online participant observation and interviews provides insight into the ways in which users of the site develop a sense of community to overcome isolation and provide support, information, and activities to improve their well-being. Through discussing shared experiences of discrimination, advice for countering stigma, and fostering positive health outcomes for each other, Tumblr users create a community and identity around their efforts to be happy and healthy as fat people.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Gruenbaum, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Cultural anthropology|Web Studies
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