The (In)visibility of Plus Size Female Bloggers: How Women use Media to Empower and Build Community

摘要

With estimates indicating that two-thirds of females in the US are plus size, size 14 or higher, many of these women still feel invisible in media and powerless in the fashion industry. While the Body Positivity Movement makes great strides in drawing attention to the lack of representation, the commercialization of the BPM has left many wondering who the movement serves. Pulling from Fat Studies and Feminist Standpoint Theory, this study offers a new theoretical lens, Plus Size Feminist Standpoint Theory, a counternarrative from the voices and lived experiences of plus size women as they navigate through the images and messaging of media and societal norms. This study's purpose was to understand plus size female bloggers' experiences and how the community, as well as the Plus Size Movement and Body Positive Movement, provide a sense of belonging and voice for marginalized fat individuals. These bloggers were asked to examine their rationale for starting a blog, how their blog provided them a voice, and how the community impacted their identity. This qualitative study included the voices of seven plus size female bloggers through an in-case and cross-case analysis. This article highlights the three major themes, empowerment, media, and community, which emerged from these bloggers' collective voice.