The Self-Protective Properties of Stigma within the Fat Admirer Community

Abstract

Due to their seemingly abnormal sexual preferences, Fat Admirers represent a group of stigmatized individuals who challenge Western ideals of beauty. This research investigates the self-protective strategies of Fat Admirers. I show how the sharing of stigmatizing experiences in a Fat Admirer online community helps structure an individual’s understanding of their identity that acts as a fourth self-protective strategy. The Fat Admirer identity consists of a stigmatized self in which individuals implement strategies that buffer against stigma in an online community setting. This research uses Crocker and Major’s (1989) conception of self-protective strategies that include 1. Attributing negative feedback to prejudice about their in-group 2. Comparing outcomes with in-group members 3. Devaluing negative attributes of the in-group. I argue that a fourth strategy (dialogic essentialism) is employed in which FAs converse with similar others in attempts to normalize their essentialist beliefs about their sexual preferences that in turn protects against possible stigmatization. Instead of interviewing participants to find out what their FA identity entails, this research uses an internet ethnographical approach to study the natural flow of conversation between members, which offers a new perspective into this community-the interaction among self-identified Fat Admirers. This research is important as it illustrates how members combat stigma through interactions that delineate acceptable membership practices. These interactions promote increased importance, validation, and protection of a stigmatized identity.