A Qualitative Analysis of the Feminine Identity and Body Image in Blind Girls

Beauty especially for women,is important in the modern world.Physical identity in disabled people is different from others.The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying the feminine identity and body image in blind girls.It follows qualitative approach and interpretive phenomenological method.The field of investigation was blind girls in Tehran.The participants were 19 students of Tehran University who were selected by available targeted sampling.The data were obtained through a semi-structured interview and analyzed by Colaizzian coding.According to the findings,female identity from the perspective of the participants includes three general categories:dimensions of femininity,femininity of the blind,and body image.Female identity has inner,physical and social dimensions.The femininity of the blind is formed in relation to social roles,communications,acceptability and social activity.In the attitudinal dimension of body image,attention to appearance and satisfaction with it were rated high in the participants.In the perceptual dimension,beauty was not recognized as a criterion of merit,except in short-term relationships.As a result of the findings,the female identity of blind girls is similar to others in the inner dimension; But visual impairment and its consequences have caused the female identity of blind girls to be formed in a physical and social dimension different from other girls and bring challenges for them.