Milestone Celebrations in the Age of Social Media : Performativity, Ritual, and Representation

In the decade spanning 2010-2020, social media showcased growing celebrations of lifetime milestones across multiple platforms. Utilizing theoretical and methodological approaches based in cultural studies, Milestone Celebrations in the Age of Social Media analyzes social media phenomena including gender-reveal parties; promposals; publicized marriage proposals; divorce celebrations; and the rites of the Death Positive Movement. As our increased digital capacity ignites competitive consumerism and social media currency, we are emboldened to share and circulate major life events across public platforms. These milestone markers redefine how we communicate about topics including courtship, birth, marriage, divorce, and death. While each trend represents a unique occasion, these celebrations share themes inherent to our human experience in the digital age. Culminating in the wake of the pandemic and its impact on each communal celebration, this book illustrates one of our most vital human drives – connection.