KNES 287 Sport and American Society: Module 2 Topic A � Module 1: Structures and Processes focused on a macro/societal level of � analysis. � “Power, Sport and Masculinities” � � � In Module 2: Bodies and Identities, � we are going to focus on a micro/ � individual level of analysis, and � focus on the various ways that Adam S. Beissel � Physical Cultural Studies Program � contemporary physical culture is Department of Kinesiology � lived and experienced. � � � � � The Body: A “ Natural ” Biological Entity? � Theme 1: � � � De-Naturalizing the Body and Sex/Gender Differences � �� The ACTIVE BODY is not a WHOLLY � But, also a SOCIAL (CULTURAL, POLITICAL, � ECONOMIC, and TECHNOLOGICAL) entity. � NATURAL entity. � It is a also PHYSICAL and SOCIAL � CONSTRUCTION: � Body � Body � Shape � Meanings � � Body � The ACTIVE BODY is shaped by, as � Size � it helps to shape, the SOCIAL � Body � Images � CONTEXT/ENVIRONMENT in which � it is located. � Body � Practices � � Body � How do we begin to understand the � Body � Identities � Style � socially constructed active body? � 1 ¡
The Social Construction of the Individual � SEX? � A system of classifications determined by � Ideological � biological structure and function. � Formations � (values, beliefs, � ideas) � � Sex: � A Biological Binary � Cultural � Experiences, Institutional � Texts � Identities, Structures � (media forms and and Bodies (rules, codes, content) � organization) � Cultural � Practices � Male � Female � (acts, performances [Body] � [Body] � and routines) � GENDER? � Sex: A Biological Continuum? � A system of culturally determined roles, - Physiological variation � expectations, and identities associated with the - Chromosome variation � two sex types. � Most of us are somewhere in the middle… � “Absolute” � “Absolute” � Maleness � Femaleness � In terms of culture/language, we only have two categories � with which to understand sex differences (male/female) � hence we live our lives by falling into these loose approximations. � The Naturalization of Gender Difference/Essentializing Gender � There is nothing NATURAL or essential about gender differences, rather, they are: � LEARNED CULTURAL NORMS and CONVENTIONS, through which our GENDERED SELVES (experiences, identities, and bodies) are CREATED… � 2 ¡
Gender as Corporeal Performance � “There is no gender identity behind the Biomotion Lab Walker � expressions of gender; ... identity is performatively constituted by the very Masculine Performance � Feminine Performance � ‘expressions’ that are said to be its We learn, experience, and communicate our results.” � GENDERED SELVES, through the structuring, adornment, and actions (PERFORMANCE) of our Source: Butler, J. (1990). Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of GENDERED BODIES. � identity (p. 25) . New York: Routledge. � See Video Clip 1 Theme 2: � � � The Gender Binary and Patriarchy � �� Judith Butler (2011) On Gender Performance � and Performativity � The Traditional Gender Binary � Gender: A Cultural Binary � MASCULINE � � � � � � � � � � FEMININE � � (Male) � � � � � � � � � � � (Female) � � Leader � � � � � � � � � � � Follower � � Aggressive � � � � � � � � � � � Passive � � Powerful � � � � � � � � � � � Powerless � Feminine � Masculine � � Strong � � � � � � � � � � � Weak � Traits � Traits � � Calm � � � � � � � � � � � Emotional � � Pragmatic � � � � � � � � � � � Romantic � The roles, expectations, and identities of males and � Subject � � � � � � � � � � � Object � females have--through historical and social forces-- come to be understood as the gender opposites of � SUPERIOR � � � � � � � � � � � INFERIOR � masculinity and femininity. � � � � � � � � � �� 3 ¡
Traditionally Female/Feminine Bodies and Identities � Traditionally Male/Masculine Bodies and Identities � � Leader �� � � � Follower � Actor � � � � � Nurturer � Aggressive � Passive � Powerful � � � �� � � � � Powerless � Strong � � � � � � � � � � Weak � Calm � � � �� � � � � Emotional � Pragmatic � � � � � � � � � � Romantic � � � � � Object � Subject � � � � �� � � � � SUBORDINATE � DOMINANT � � � �� The Hierarchical Inequality of the Gender Binary � PATRIARCHY � Masculinity � A system of UNEQUAL gender roles, (males) � Inferior � identities, and experiences, which social value, � privilege the position of men. � influence � and power: � SUBORDINATE � “a set of personal, social, and economic relationships that enable men to have Superior � power over women and the services social value, � influence � they provide” � and power: � DOMINANT � Femininity � � (females) � Source: Strober, Myra. "Toward a General Theory of Occupational Sex Segregation: The Case of Public School Teaching." Sex Segregation in the Workplace: Trends, Explanations, Remedies . Ed. Barbara F. Reskin. Washington: National Academy Press. 1984. 1447 � Patriarchal Institutions � Patriarchal institutions work in such as way as to assert: � � MEN and MASCULINITY as being associated with social leadership, power, and authority. � � WOMEN and FEMININITY as being associated with social support, care, and nurturing. � 4 ¡
But where do patriarchal relations come from? � Patriarchal Commercial Relations and Values � � Why is it that, in most societies, men are � 2000 census: � viewed as occupying a position of power, � � authority, and superiority? � Male median income: � $35,303 � 56.67% � Female median income: � $20,007 � In earlier stages of societal evolution, males � gained their SOCIAL POWER and DOMINANCE 2010 census: � � through their relative physical: � � � - STRENGTH � Male median income: � $47,715 � 77.40% � - AGGRESSION � Female median income: � $36,931 � � - VIOLENCE � � Which granted men positions of LEADERSHIP www.census.gov � and AUTHORITY over others. � � � Theme 3: � Perhaps more than any � � other social institution, sport � � /physical culture plays a � Sport and Performative central role in the constitution � Gender Difference � and advancement of our � � gendered beings. � �� SPORT: � Sport, as a social institution, is both A gendered (and gender differentiating) culture of GENDERED and GENDERING. � learnt PHYSICAL practices, bodies, and identities � � It is structured in dialectic relation to the DOMINANT GENDER ORDER and GENDER PRACTICES and GENDER IDENTITIES within society. � � Hence, individuals become SOCIALIZED into the GENDERED SELVES (experienes, identities, and bodies) through their particular involvement (or lack of involvement) in sport). � � 5 ¡
ORGANIZED SPORT is considered to be a Many organized sports are structured around MALE ORIENTED social institution, particular attributes which are SOCIAL because at its core, are SPORTING EXPECTATIONS/NORMAL for MALES and PRACTICES which are based upon, and SOCIAL EXCEPTIONS/ABNORMAL for thereby both NORMALIZE and ADVANCE FEMALES. � personal attributes traditionally associated � with MALES and MASCULINITY: � So, males tend to be at a SPORTING � ADVANTAGE because within organized sport � - STRENGTH � they are PERFORMING/EMBODYING the - TOUGHNESS � MASCULINE NORMS they have already been - AGGRESSION exposed to/learnt through their experience in - VIOLENCE � wider society. � � As children mature socially and culturally as much Of course, any observer of youth sport at the lower as physically (particularly 11 plus), they learn and age levels (under 11 especially), is likely to observe are channeled into gender specific physical cultures, similar expressions of strength, toughness, bodies, and identities: � aggression, and violence (or lack thereof) among � girls as well as boys. � IDEOLOGIES � � INSTITUTIONS � PRACTICES � TEXTS � MASCULINE � FEMININE � EXPERIENCES, EXPERIENCES, IDENTITIES, AND � IDENTITIES, AND � BODIES � BODIES � The Social Construction of Sporting Gender � Social Context � Ideological � Formations � MASCULINE � FEMININE � (values, beliefs, � EXPERIENCES, EXPERIENCES, ideas) � IDENTITIES, AND � IDENTITIES, AND � � BODIES � BODIES � Gendered Cultural � Institutional � Experiences, Texts � Structures � Identities, (media forms and (rules, codes, and Bodies content) � organization) � Cultural � Practices � (acts, performances Adolescence: The Sporting Parting of the Ways? � and routines) � 6 ¡
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