Body embodiment : symbolic interaction and the sociology of the body

The body and experiences of embodiment have generated a rich and diverse sociological literature. This volume articulates and illustrates one major approach to the sociology of the body: symbolic interactionism, an increasingly prevalent theoretical base of contemporary sociology derived from the pragmatism of writers such as John Dewey, William James, Charles Peirce, Charles Cooley and George Herbert Mead. The authors argue that, from an interactionist perspective, the body is much more than a tangible, corporeal object - it is a vessel of great significance to the individual and society. From this perspective, body, self and social interaction are intimately interrelated and constantly reconfigured. The collection constitutes a unique anthology of empirical research on the body, from health and illness to sexuality, from beauty and imagery to bodily performance in sport and art, and from mediated communication to plastic surgery. The contributions are informed by innovative interactionist theory, offering fresh insights into one of the fastest growing sub-disciplines of sociology and cultural studies. Introduction : The Body And Symbolic Interaction / Dennis D. Waskul, Phillip Vannini -- The Networked Body And The Question Of Reflexivity / Nick Crossley -- Reflections Of The Body, Images Of Self : Visibility And Invisibility In Chronic Illness And Disability / Kathy Charmaz, Dana Rosenfeld -- Reflexive Transembodiment / Douglas Schrock, Emily M. Boyd -- Building Bodily Boundaries : Embodied Enactment And Experience / Spencer E. Cahill -- Body Armour : Managing Disability And The Precariousness Of The Territories Of The Self / Carol Brooks Gardner, William P. Gronfein -- Opera And The Embodiment Of Performance / Paul Atkinson -- Samba No Mar : Bodies, Movement And Idiom In Capoeira / Neil Stephens, Sara Delamont -- Corporeal Indeterminacy : The Value Of Embodied, Interpretive Sociology / Lee F. Monaghan -- Intelligent Bodies : Embodied Subjectivity And Human-horse Communication / Keri Brandt -- Professional Female Football Players : Tackling Like A Girl? / Joseph Kotarba, Matt Held -- The Addict's Body : Embodiment, Drug Use, And Representation / Richard Huggins -- Body Ekstasis : Socio-semiotic Reflections On Surpassing The Dualism Of Body-image / Phillip Vannini, Dennis D. Waskul -- Eating The Black Body : Interracial Desire, Food Metaphor And White Fear / Erica Owens, Bronwyn Beistle -- Claiming The Bodies Of Exotic Dancers : The Problematic Discourse Of Commodification / Carol Rambo, Sara Renée Presley, Don Mynatt -- The Fit And Healthy Body : Consumer Narratives And The Management Of Postmodern Corporeity / Charles Edgley -- Masks Of Masculinity : (sur)passing Narratives And Cosmetic Surgery / Michael Atkinson -- The Pregnant/birthing Body : Negotiations Of Personal Autonomy / Rachel Westfall -- Viewing The Body : An Overview, Exploration And Extension / Clinton R. Sanders. Edited By Dennis Waskul And Phillip Vannini. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "The body and experiences of embodiment have generated a rich and diverse sociological literature. This volume articulates and illustrates one major approach to the sociology of the body: symbolic interactionism, an increasingly prevalent theoretical base of contemporary sociology derived from the pragmatism of writers such as John Dewey, William James, Charles Peirce, Charles Cooley and George Herbert Mead'.--BOOKJACKET