Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
You Poor Thing: A Retrospective Autoethnography Of Visible Chronic Illness As A Symbolic Vanishing Act, Alexandra Ch Nowakowski
You Poor Thing: A Retrospective Autoethnography Of Visible Chronic Illness As A Symbolic Vanishing Act, Alexandra Ch Nowakowski
The Qualitative Report
In this autoethnography, I outline a framework for understanding illness as deviance, contextualizing general sociological theory on sick role dynamics to the specific case of chronic conditions that manifest with visible physical differences. I demonstrate two distinct ways in which chronic conditions can foster labeling and stigma. First, I explore how social norms can result in sanctions for showing physical evidence of chronic conditions. I describe sanctions I have experienced for violating conventional ideas about youth and female beauty, and associated behavioral expectations. Second, I explore how double jeopardy can result from failing to meet usual social expectations for sickness. …