Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

2-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Sociology

Advisor

Barbara Katz Rothman

Committee Members

Erica Chito Childs

Jessie Daniels

Subject Categories

Sociology

Keywords

Interracial Relationships, Family, Race, Gender

Abstract

This dissertation examines depictions of interracial romantic relationships on Instagram, a popular photo- and video-sharing social networking site. Social networking sites like Instagram, whereby users connect with each other by creating, sharing, and consuming content, are prime sites for sociological study because ideas are constantly being (re)made on them. On Instagram, meaning-making is mainly done through the construction of a profile and the posting of images and/or videos. Using a mixed-methods research design of hashtag analysis, digital ethnography, discourse and image analysis, I critically analyze Instagram profiles that depict interracial romantic relationships. In doing so, I develop a contemporary, social media-based understanding of how meanings about race, gender, sexuality, family, and interracial intimate relationships are being constructed on the platform. My findings are situated in theories of global white supremacy, systemic racism, intersectionality, as well as critical perspectives on media and the Internet.

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