Liberation from thinness culture

Motivations for joining fat acceptance movements

Bibliographic Data

ID18958749
AuthorsKatie Margavio Striley (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, corresponding author), Sophia Hutchens (0009-0009-8810-7702, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Year2020
Volume9
Issue3
Pages296-308
Publication date2020-09-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueFat Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2160-486X • E-ISSN: 2160-4851
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/21604851.2020.1723280
OpenAlexW3006407637
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited18

Thinness culture stigmatizes people of size. Both interpersonal and systemic discrimination are daily experiences for fat people. However, some people of size find acceptance in varieties of fat acceptance movements (FAMs), human rights movements seeking to eliminate fat discrimination. Modern FAMs are less radical than early versions, and emphasize aesthetics, body positivity, and everyday talk, rather than systemic activism. The current article seeks to understand motivations for joining FAMs because involvement in these movements enables people of size to resist toxic thin culture messages while finding others with similar experiences, needs, and identities. We conducted surveys with 217 fat-identifying individuals to ask their reasons for joining FAMs. Findings indicate participants joined for both intra/interpersonal reasons, such as finding self-love and supportive communities, and systemic reasons, such as fighting for social justice and equality for people of size. As a result of findings, we suggest FAMs adopt a both/and approach to fat stigma: continuing to support members’ intra/interpersonal needs and systemically fighting size discrimination in thinness cultures

Interpersonal communication · Sociology · Body Contouring and Surgery · Diversity and Impact of Dance · Obesity and Health Practices · Psychology · Social Psychology

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