Date of Award

8-31-2026

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Conflict Resolution

First Advisor

Mehr Latif

Second Advisor

Karen Ross

Third Advisor

Eben Weitzman

Abstract

The “furry” community has gained notoriety both on the internet and in physical spaces for the dramatic portrayal of animal-based personas referred to as “fursonas.” This group has become the subject of ridicule and moral concern due to the occasionally controversial nature of the content produced by some members of the community. However, there are many different interpretations both within and outside of the community around what the community entails. In this thesis, I examine how the furry community and the identity of its members is shaped by external pressure or social stigmatization? I answer this through the following three sub questions: 1) How does identity get defined in a community? 2) What are the consequences of stigmatization on internal group boundaries? 3) What dynamics shape external boundary construction? To understand these questions, I employ mixed methods, including interviews, surveys, and content analysis. The case study of the furry community examines the effects of social stigmatization on identity as well as the group’s internal and external boundaries. By looking at these factors in relation to one another, identity can be examined in relation to stigmatization and the forms of potential resolution that could come from understanding various boundaries of identity.

Comments

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