Sociological Journal Analysis - Essay Example

This allows for the symbolic interactionist between the formally obese individual and others to be more honest and real, instead of the obese individual being labeled by symbols of lazy, dirty, and gluttonous. This article does provide a coherent theoretical background. The article explains exactly how the symbolic interactionist approach is used, the relevance of a person with a stigma, and provides credible resources to back up the claims being asserted. The scope of the obesity problem is also explored.

The article is very thorough when providing a solid theoretical background. The theory of using a symbolic interactionist approach on the stigma of obesity explains the new epidemic of obesity. This problem has become more prevalent in recent times. Obesity is a given class of social phenomena. This article gives the social dimensions and properties of being obese. For example, Boggess reports “Recent media articles have announced that being overweight, or obese, can cost corporations millions of dollars in health care expenses, extra gas, and even extra jet fuel for planes.

” Boggess also explains the social aversion toward obese individuals. Health issues are also explained in this article. In addition, this article explains how and why the symbolic interactionist approach is relevant. The basis of the symbolic interactionist approach is defined as “individuals engaged in an interaction to assume certain expectations of each other, and to follow through with the expectations placed on them” (Boggess). Obese people are expected to be lazy, dirty, and have no self control.

This leads to the need to the theory that accepting obesity can lead to coping with the condition, which would make interaction between the obese and others truer and better for both groups. This article clearly defines the nature of the relation between the dimensions and properties of the obese, normal, and symbolic interactionist