SOCY393 by https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij Civilised and matter-out-of-place bodies en-us 2018-09-09 01:50:49 UTC 2023-01-23 03:06:09 UTC hello@padlet.com Civilised bodies Kat444 https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279129568 This padlet analyses two intersecting theories around what constitutes the right kind of 'civilised' body .  'The 'civilising process' is the term coined by Norbert Elias.  This concept links with modernity's need for order and rational efficiencies (Howson 2013, 87). This padlet explores a related concept by Mary Douglas who claimed that different cultures consider some bodies or bodily functions as 'matter-out-of-place' which in essence views them as dirty, polluted, deviant or a blight on society.  Examples, include bodily fluids that are seen as not civilised, therefore dirty and should be kept behind closed doors (Howson, 2013 95-96).

In this padlet I provide examples to demonstrate the above theories in action.]]> 2018-09-09 04:40:12 UTC https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279129568 Why are women's diseases ignored Kat444 https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279130554 This Ted Talk by filmmaker Jen Brea, who also produced an award winning portrayal of her continuing health struggle with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), exposes what Mary Douglas would consider 'matter-out-of-place' as certain illnesses, germs and diseaseshave similar reactions of disgust in society and are highly stigmatised.  In the attached talk Jen discusses the gendered dimension of this illness and how some sections in the medical world still view this illness as a psychological issue due to its link historically to 'hysteria'.  Sontag (1978, 12-13) suggests in her book that metaphors about illnesses deemed 'matter-out-place' can lead them to be seen as socially repugnant.]]> 2018-09-09 05:00:57 UTC https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279130554 Bits that should be invisible Kat444 https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279131012 Janelle Monae's new video has created some controversy as she wears a pair of 'vagina pants'.  Private anatomy is something polite society doesn't like seeing or discussing, particularly women's private parts.]]> 2018-09-09 05:13:17 UTC https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279131012 References Kat444 https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279131104 Howson, Alexandra. 2013. Chapter 3, 'The Civilised Body', in The Body in Society: An Introduction, 2nd Edition. Polity Press. 150-169.

Sontag, Susan. 1978. Illness as Metaphor. London: Penguin Books.

]]> 2018-09-09 05:15:15 UTC https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279131104 Periods Kat444 https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279132139 Similar to the 'poo jogger' talking about menstruation in public creates disgust amongst, mostly male, members of the public as demonstrated in Clementine Ford's twitter post below:
(Howson 2013, 103)]]> 2018-09-09 05:42:47 UTC https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279132139 Ill bodies Kat444 https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279716061 This tweet from Jen Brea discusses through history what is deemed a natural or unnatural illness.]]> 2018-09-11 06:26:06 UTC https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279716061 Out-of-place indeed! Kat444 https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279716424 A civilised person in modern society is able to control and conceal the less appealing aspects of their bodily processes which assist human beings in asserting their civility over their more natural or animal like bodily functions. This is why the recent controversy over the so-called 'poo jogger' was so shocking to society. The attached news article discusses the incident. Interestingly, the poo jogger was reported to be a person of reasonably high ranking in society, a corporate manager, and his actions sit at odds with how we deal with excrement in modern society.  Such behaviour would normally not occur in 'civil society' due the possibility of shame and embarrassment that would arise from this behaviour being outed in society.  Howson describes defecating as one of the many bodily processes that Norbert Elias catalogued as no longer part of "polite society". These outlawed bodily processes intensified due to the delineation between what was considered public and private (Howson 2013, 87-88).  It is interesting to note that the 'poo jogger' resigned from his job as a result of his 'matter-out-of-place' behaviour. ]]> 2018-09-11 06:28:21 UTC https://padlet.com/Kat444/q29l850q58ij/wish/279716424