Embodying identities: De-essentializing the body through ethnic location.
Item
-
Title
-
Embodying identities: De-essentializing the body through ethnic location.
-
Identifier
-
AAI9917686
-
identifier
-
9917686
-
Creator
-
Poran, Maya Anita.
-
Contributor
-
Adviser: Michelle Fine
-
Date
-
1999
-
Language
-
English
-
Publisher
-
City University of New York.
-
Subject
-
Psychology, Social | American Studies | Women's Studies | Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies
-
Abstract
-
Through multiple methodologies, the following research investigated Latina, Black and White women's relationships to their bodies and dominant-popular social representations of women. 53 college women participated (19 Latina, 15 Black, and 19 White) in nine focus groups (3 Latina, 3 Black, 3 White). All participants filled out a questionnaire, engaged in focus group discussions, and a drawing activity. Results indicate that Latina, Black and White women in the sample have shared gender-themes in which the body and imagery are perceived, and unique themes by ethnicity through which they respond to these perceptions. All participants shared the general awareness of the body as important for women, and the imagery as presenting a social standard. Latina and Black women, however, tended to question the structures and meanings of social imagery, while White women tended to accept them without question. Although participants differed in their intellectual responses to dominant-popular imagery, all groups discussed the psychological process of social comparison as a major component of their experiences of their bodies. These findings not only contribute to research on body image and ethnic identity, but aid in the reconceptualization of this entire area of study.
-
Type
-
dissertation
-
Source
-
PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
-
degree
-
Ph.D.
