Fat in the Media

Kyrölä, Katariina

doi:10.4324/9781003049401-15

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…However, we also saw cases where participants' positive representation in avatars led to positive responses in the physical world. In this case, the omission of fatness as an option not only frustrates P3, as she cannot fully represent how she appears in the physical world, but also perpetuates biases in broader society around fatness as undesirable [35].…”

Section: Avatar Platforms and Physical World Social Norms Shape Each ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Inclusive Avatars: Disability Representation in Avatar Platforms

Mack,

Hsu,

Monroy-Hernández

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Digital avatars are an important part of identity representation, but there is little work on understanding how to represent disability. We interviewed 18 people with disabilities and related identities about their experiences and preferences in representing their identities with avatars. Participants generally preferred to represent their disability identity if the context felt safe and platforms supported their expression, as it was important for feeling authentically represented. They also utilized avatars in strategic ways: as a means to signal and disclose current abilities, access needs, and to raise awareness. Some participants even found avatars to be a more accessible way to communicate than alternatives. We discuss how avatars can support disability identity representation because of their easily customizable format that is not strictly tied to reality. We conclude with design recommendations for creating platforms that better support people in representing their disability and other minoritized identities.

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Section: Avatar Platforms and Physical World Social Norms Shape Each ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Inclusive Avatars: Disability Representation in Avatar Platforms

Mack,

Hsu,

Monroy-Hernández

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The main arguments proffered in this text will undoubtedly resonate with feminist researchers working in the fields of critical social psychology, critical health psychology, and fat studies. For example, there are established research literatures that critique media representations of fat people (Kyrölä, 2021), consider the harms of fat shaming (Farrell, 2011), challenge simplistic constructions of health and dieting (Lyons & Chamberlain, 2006), question the individualist tendencies of the Body Positivity movement (Gill & Elias, 2014), and call for activist work to improve the health and social lives of fat people experiencing discrimination (Cooper, 2021). For me, the unique contribution of What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat is how these familiar arguments are conveyed with such personal vulnerability, gut-wrenching despair, and real-life grounding.…”

Section: Society Needs To Treat Fat People With Respectmentioning

confidence: 99%