Fatness as Identity: Deconstructing the Origins of Fat Phobia and Fat Discrimination in Social Work

Applying an intersectional and fat justice perspective, this course will utilize the ecological “person in environment” framework to explore fatness as identity from macro, mezzo, and micro perspectives. Students will be encouraged to engage in this highly interactive seminar style course through the critical examination of academic and medical studies, pop culture, and diverse media sources. The origins of fat phobia and fat discrimination will be explored through consideration of implicit bias, the impact of fat phobia and fat discrimination on individual identity development, the medical ideal of health, and the contributing macro factors of individualism and capitalism. Fatness and the intersection of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, mental health, physical health, ability, and access to affirming health care will be explored as contributing factors to the individual and collective impact of fat phobia. Specific attention will be given to the origins of the fat justice movement that began in the 1960s and the current lack of legal protections for individuals of size against discrimination. Students will be encouraged to utilize reflective practice and empathy models to consider the impact fat phobia and fat discrimination has on the implementation and provision of social work practice and policy in diverse settings so they can begin to deconstruct oppressive social work interventions with individuals of size.