Demoralizing Food, Bodies, and Movement: A Phenomenological Exploration of Caregivers’ Experience in a Body-Neutral Parenting Support Group

Abstract

Body neutrality is a concept wherein individuals accept their bodies as a vessel that carries them through life, and as such, do not attach positive or negative feelings to their physicality. Integrating body neutrality into the parenting approach appears to be impactful for the body image and self-efficacy of children and their caregivers alike. To gain an understanding of how to promote healthy body image for children and adolescents, this phenomenological investigation explored parents’ (N = 7) experience with a body-neutral parenting support group. We identified three main themes: (a) increased awareness of the impact of food and body talk, (b) the value of unlearning and learning body-neutral parenting skills, and (c) a safe space for community and connection. Implications for humanistic counselors are provided.