Social Media Perceptions on the Plus Size Curvykenyan Woman Reflecting on Instagram Posts

Abstract

This study aimed at studying perceptions on the plus size curvy Kenyan woman on social media platforms reflecting on Instagram posts. The objectives being to find out perceptions on women bodies; to examine how plus-size women perceive themselves relating to captions and comments accompanying their photos on Instagram and the perceptions of plus size curvy women on Instagram. The research targeted most commented posts of the five renamed plus size women in Kenya by The Standard and Lifestyle Magazine, as well as the most commented posts from#plussizekenya Instagram posts. Qualitative research approach allowed the researcher interact with the audiences’ reaction through comments and emoji’s to retrieve meaning in regards to curvy plus-size Kenyan women posts. Descriptive research design was important in assessing and discussing, in depth findings on the perceptions on the plus size woman on Instagram. The research analyzed Instagram audience, comments and emoji reactions made on plus size curvy women photos. Discourse theory and Theory of social construction were used and useful for this research as they guided in meaning extraction from written comments and emoji’s by the audience of Instagram on plus size women posts. Online content analysis was used to collect data, analyzing social constructs presented in comments and emoji’s, responding to plus size women photos on Instagram. Gee (2011) argued that this method is more trustworthy and valid method as the analysis offers compatible and convincing answers. Online content analysis, was done by taking the key words, to be plus size and plus size Kenya .The study found out that plus size curvy women are perceived to be sexually attractive, fertile, unique, intelligent, loving, and have unrealistic body image pictures among other perceptions discussed in the findings. Therefore, the Instagram perceptions towards the plus size curvy Kenyan woman seems to agree with the African traditional community perceptions towards the same subject. This study argues that the diverse perceptions towards the plus size curvy woman could be useful in curbing body shaming. However, the study recommends for further research on other social media platforms such as Tiktok, Facebook to establish if the findings on plus-size women perceptions are similar or different. It as well recommends digital policy makers and advocates of body image to use social media platforms to pass across messages and policies which will aid and advocate for body confidence and curb body shaming.