The role of identity in disposal

Abstract

This study uses depth interviews with mothers about their disposal of children’s possessions to craft a new understanding of the role of identity in disposal. Our study asks: How does identity influence the disposal process of ordinary possessions? A disposal identity continuum of keepers and discarders emerged from the data. This new understanding suggests that disposal involves decisions regarding the match of possession to mother, partner, child, and family identities. When disposal identities lead to conflict between the actors in the disposal decision, decision makers use coping strategies such as subterfuge, avoidance, forced choice, and training/discussion. In addition, the disposal process can lead to negative emotional outcomes such as ambivalence and guilt for both keepers and discarders.

Value-in-disposition

“…The results also underscore a dimension of inability to dispose that cannot be explained by hoarding behavior (Cherrier and Ponnor, 2010;Phillips and Sego, 2011) or special possession attachment (Kleine et al, 1995). Consumers hold on to ordinary objects that they cannot move through the intended disposition conduits.…”

“…Objects disposed of in this way gain moral and linking value as they continue their life by supporting other people without endangering the environment. This finding questions the assumption that throwing away or deserting objects leads to wasting and value destruction (Harrell and McConocha, 1992;Phillips and Sego, 2011).…”

“…These results challenge the assumptions about disposition conduits. The literature describes practices like careful use, reuse, and repair as value-enhancing disposition (Cappellini, 2009;Cooper, 2005;Gregson et al, 2009), while associating throwing away and trashing with value destruction, wasting, and un-sustainability (Evans, 2012;Phillips and Sego, 2011). The current study reveals that throwing away can create more value than seemingly thrifty or altruistic disposition conduits by preventing objects from ''reflecting negatively on consumers'' (Gregson et al, 2007: 196), eliminating offensive disposal, and assisting consumers to connect with and help imagined others.…”

“…The interview sample included four males and 15 females heterogeneous in age, education, marital status, and household composition (Table 1). Since women are the main disposition agents in households (Herrmann, 1996;Phillips and Sego, 2011), richness of data from a female-dominated sample mitigated the gender bias.…”

Possessions and Self in the Identity Work of Survivors of Domestic Violence

“…While the processes of disposition and dispossession have attracted less attention in consumer research than possession acquisition and consumption (Phillips & Sego, 2011), they warrant close attention in the context of domestic violence where control and destruction of the survivor's possessions are distinguishing behaviors of the abuser. In that the survivor's possessions are taken away from the survivor and/or controlled by a powerful and punitive authority figure, the context of domestic violence is similar to Goffman's total institutions (including army barracks, boarding schools, religious communities, prisons, POW camps).…”