Exercising freedom and control in the supermarket from an overweight perspective
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Report chapter › Research
The conusmption of goods plays a central role in modern identity formation. As consumers, we are told we are free to decide how we look, what we eat, where we shop, what kind of individuals we want to be etc. However, the identity we hold on to or strive for continuously poses demands on our choices. We cannot consume anything if we want to be or become someone! Thus consumption of goods may be described as an arena, where freedom of choice is enacted alongside self-control over what and how to consume. This paper provides examples of how self-control and freedom is exercised in the context of food shopping among young people who want to loose weight. The data is created through participatory observation. The findings are discussed in relation to results from other studies of identity formation.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Lifestyles and social change : essays in economic sociology |
Editors | Terhi-Anna Wilska, Leena Haanpää |
Number of pages | 16 |
Place of Publication | Turku |
Publisher | The Turku School of Economics and Business Administration |
Publication date | 2005 |
Pages | 79-95 |
Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Series | Series Discussion and Working Papers |
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Number | 11 |
- Former LIFE faculty - Identity; control; consumption; food
Research areas
ID: 8007730