Intersectionality and Sizeism: Implications for Mental Health Practitioners

Abstract

The lived experiences of fat women are impacted by the intersections of weight with other identities, including race, social class, age, disability, and sexual minority status. Here I review the extant research literature on weight and sizeism and discuss how the intersection of these five identity statuses impact fat women’s lives. As feminist therapists (and others) become more knowledgeable about sizeism, we should also be aware of its intersections in order to challenge fat oppression and empower our clients.

Keywords:

• Counseling
• fat women
• intersectionality
• psychotherapy
• sizeism

Notes

1 Because of length limitations, I focus here on mainstream Western beauty standards.