Theorising Fatness as an Ordering Issue

A Conceptual Framework for Analysing the Construction of Fatness as Disorder

Bibliographic Data

ID5114707
AuthorsAlice Ekman (0000-0002-3801-0541, Jönköping University, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume29
Issue4
Pages79-104
Publication date2023-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBody & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1357-034X • E-ISSN: 1460-3632
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1357034x231187973
OpenAlexW4386519085
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited42

Previous research has both implicitly and explicitly discussed, and partly shown, that fatness can be viewed as an ordering issue. In Western countries, fat bodies are constructed as deviant and as disorder, while thin bodies are constructed as normal and in order. In line with Mary Douglas's and Judith Butler's theorisation around separating and purifying/subsuming processes, this article develops previous theorisations around fatness and social order. Two analytical concepts for understanding processes for ordering people based on body size are suggested. Both processes aim at preserving the social order but differ in how this is achieved. The first, maintaining order, refers to the processes that maintain separation between thinness and fatness and preserve social order. The second, putting in order, refers to the processes aiming to subsume fat bodies into social order and covers various activities for weight loss. Together, these concepts allow analysis of fatness as an ordering issue

Economics · Epistemology · Order (exchange · Sociology · Body Contouring and Surgery · Diversity and Impact of Dance · Obesity and Health Practices · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access