Squishy, soft, strong, sturdy : how do women feel about their bodies since having babies? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, via distance learning, New Zealand
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2023
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Massey University
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For centuries, Western society has taught women that they are second class, hysterical, and messy because their bodies bleed and grow as they accommodate menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Women are subjected to unrealistic body ideals that require them to be thin, toned, and beautiful; these standards often lead to women feeling unhappy with their bodies. These processes can be more pronounced when a woman is pregnant— and after she has been pregnant and is expected to “get her body back.” In this qualitative study, I explored how women felt about their bodies since having children and how representations of postpartum bodies from social media affected them. I interviewed eleven women and used photo elicitation with photographs of postpartum bodies participants brought to the interview. I analysed the data using Reflexive Thematic Analysis with a feminist and embodiment lens and developed three themes: Reality of Postpartum Bodies; Journey Toward Body Acceptance; Navigating and Engaging with Representations of Postpartum Bodies. Participants spoke about their saggy, soft, and completely changed body. They discussed their feelings about their bodies, ranging from sadness, shame, and disappointment to feeling empowered and proud of what their body had done. Each participant had a different journey of accepting their postpartum body. For some it was a constant struggle, whereas for others the journey was more positive. Learning to accept their bodies was a journey characterised by times of difficulty, the presence of a negative voice and pushing back against it, and surrounding themselves with people who were supportive. Body norms and ideals complicated this journey by reinforcing to participants that their body was not acceptable. Participants did not simply passively receive these ideals; they often resisted them, while still feeling their impacts. Participants’ accounts highlight the importance of making this journey easier by emphasising body appreciation and function, using strategies that counteract negative thoughts and managing social media carefully. However, supportive, caring relationships from people around us, and societal changes toward body acceptance, can play a key part in body acceptance.