Overlooked and Harmful: Fatphobic Bullying and Harassment

• In Event: Bullying Victimization in Context: Institutional Systems, Marginalized Targets, and Perpetrator Networks

Abstract

Living in a fatphobic society is harmful in and of itself, let alone having to experience microaggressions and fatphobic online or street harassment. This may explain why research has found that people that experience fatphobia are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and have higher odds of suicidal ideation and attempts than those that do not. Yet, despite its prevalence and harmful impacts, research on harassment has largely overlooked weight-related discrimination. Using data from a large quantitative survey (n=920) with fixed choice and open-ended questions, this study explored participants’ qualitative reports of weight-based discrimination. Findings revealed that 20.4% percent of people cited appearance as a reason why they experienced harassment. Participants described being laughed at, called names, bullied, and shamed by family members. Some stated the effects of the harassment such as avoiding public spaces and eating disorders. Findings reveal that harassment scholarship must more fully address fatphobia, as it is a pervasive and harmful driver of weight-based discrimination and bullying and should be included in bullying prevention efforts.

Authors

• Brandie Pugh, West Virginia University

• Olivia Villeneuve, West Virginia University

• Karen G. Weiss, West Virginia University