In this paper we explore the phenomena of ‘My Family’ stickers; the growing trend of stick-figure decals affixed to the rear window of motor vehicles. We suggest that the ‘My Family’ equipped vehicle generates excessive meanings about family, about road culture, about success and about forms of Australian belonging. It is argued that to represent ‘My Family’ on a motor vehicle is to stake a claim for belonging in a context where that belonging is challenged. Scaffolded by the semiotics of the motor vehicle we highlight how ‘My Family’ stickers demark a desire to belong: to a specific family unit, to a vision of feminine success, to white middle Australia – yet at the same time highlight the lack. Ultimately, we speculate that the placement of these decals on a vehicle shows a wanting to belong but also exposes anxieties about that belonging.


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    Title :

    Automobility and ‘My Family’ stickers


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Continuum ; 29 , 1 ; 70-83


    Publication date :

    2015-01-02


    Size :

    14 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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