Bulimia And Conformity Analysis

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In “Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia: The Development of Deviant Identities” By Penelope A. McLorg and Diane E. Taub, the many issues in today’s generation, as well as many before regarding societal norms state that we envision the idea of masculinity for men and thinness in women. As with many other norms, deviance, or not conforming to masculinity and thinness, results in negative sanctions. To avoid these sanctions, some turn to Anorexia Nervosa, intended starvation and excessive exercising and Bulimia, intended cycles of binging and purging/laxative abuse. Both showing forms of behavioral deviance and Anorexia embodying visual deviance. Within the past two centuries, Anorexia and Bulimia have become not just major health issues, but also social …show more content…

Conformity is the process of complying with certain standards, laws or rules. McLorg and Taub state that “As dieters, these individuals are conformists in their adherence to the cultural norms emphasizing thinness” (McLorb and Taub:210). So these people who suffer from Anorexia or Bulimia, go to extreme extents such as starvation or binging/purging, to be included in the stigma in society that glamourizes being thin. In everyday life, whether consciously or unconsciously, everyone conforms. It may be getting the same food that everyone else gets even if it’s not your favorite, or dying your hair grey because it’s currently “in”. Anorexics and Bulimics, just like you and I, may not realize what they’re actually doing.
Primary Deviance: Primary deviance is another key concept mentioned. Primary deviance in the Anorexics and Bulimics is the purposeful starvation and binging/purging. Those who suffer from these disorders do not see themselves as “Anorexic” or “Bulimic”. They receive praise from others for “looking good” and gain a feeling of self-control. A real life situation would be someone who drinks alcohol to enjoy social settings. They may begin to drink to the point of alcoholism but do not see their actions as being any sort of issue until they reach the next key concept of secondary

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