This thesis examines how experiences of stigma related to cannabis use are expressed and processed in an online forum. Using a netnographic method, posts from the cannabis forum on Flashback are analysed to understand how these interactions contribute to meaning-making in social contexts. By examining posts, a complex picture emerges of how stigma is expressed and how users manage this in online environments. The forum serves as a place where users can share experiences and support each other, contributing to a collective meaning-making around cannabis use. The thesis employs Erving Goffman’s theories of stigma and symbolic interactionism to highlight how individuals within a stigmatized group manage and navigate their social reality. The results show that cannabis users on Flashback actively discuss and cope with stigma through various strategies and adaptations, contributing to a deeper understanding of how social and structural constraints affect their experiences and behaviours. By normalizing their use and creating a shared understanding within the group, they mitigate the negative consequences of stigma. This thesis thus provides insights into how digital environments both reflect and influence the norms and attitudes surrounding cannabis use.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:lnu-130767 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Peereboom, Robin, Rosenberg, Patrik |
| Publisher | Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för socialt arbete (SA) |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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