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Focusing the Lens: Theoretical Perspectives of Body Normalization

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Voices of Transgender Children in Early Childhood Education

Part of the book series: Critical Cultural Studies of Childhood ((CCSC))

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Abstract

This chapter discusses the purpose, process, and implications of body normalization in the United States. It traces the intricate link between tenets of conservative Christianity and homophobia/transphobia. Foucault’s theories present a means to analyze modes of internalized bodily normalization. There is a critique of forced conformity prior to being validated as moral citizens. Research partners’ recollections of gender performativity, segregation, normalization, and gender role conformity congeal to instantiate the deep-seeded pain and strife that they experienced as young children in school.

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Correspondence to Ashley L. Sullivan .

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Sullivan, A.L., Urraro, L.L. (2019). Focusing the Lens: Theoretical Perspectives of Body Normalization. In: Voices of Transgender Children in Early Childhood Education. Critical Cultural Studies of Childhood. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13483-9_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13483-9_7

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-13482-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-13483-9

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