Femininity and the Physically Active Woman (Women and Psychology) - Hardcover

Choi, Precilla Y. L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415165601 ISBN 13: 9780415165600

Publisher: Routledge, 2000

Synopsis

Why do fewer women than men exercise? What is the ‘sporty’ type?

The fitness boom of the last two decades has led to many people incorporating exercise into their lifestyles through activities such as jogging and aerobics. However, whilst many physical and psychological health benefits have been documented, far too few people actually take part in enough exercise to glean significant improvements, and this is much more a problem for women and men.

Femininity and the Physically Active Woman explores one reason many women offer for their lack of involvement in sport and exercise – that they are not the ‘sporty’ type. Precilla Y.L. Choi argues that the ‘sporty’ type is masculine, and to determine how this notion might affect women’s self-perceptions, she critically examines the experiences of women athletes, bodybuilders, recreational exercisers and girls’ physical education. What emerges is the importance of visible differences between women and men, in terms of muscularity, strength and agility in order to maintain the gender order. Thus if a girl or woman wishes to play the masculine game of sport she most do so in conformity with a number of patriarchal rules which ensure she is first and foremost recognised as heterosexual feminine being.

Contributing to a psychology of the physically active woman by examining women’s experiences from critical feminist and gendered perspectives, Femininity and the Physically Active Woman will be of great interest to students, researchers, practitioners and teachers from a range of disciplines.

About this title

Review

'An interesting book, which, for an academic text, is easily readable; and it would sit comfortably on the bookshelf of any woman with an active interest in sport.' - Diva

'Precilla Choi not only provides an excellent review of the importance and benefits of sport and physical activity for women, but also explores why low levels of physical activity exist among women more so than men ... Choi's work is an excellent example of a blending of disciplines - psychology, women's studies, sociology, popular culture, and in media studies - and how we as a field need to continue to expand and intersect our work with that of scholars in other disciplines' - The Sports Psychologist

Synopsis

Even in these days of the fitness boom far to few women take part in enough exercise to glean the significant health benefits on offer. This work explores one reason many women suggest for their lack of involvement in sport and exercise that they are not the "sporty" type. The author argues that the "sporty" type is masculine, and to determine how this notion might affect women's self-perceptions, she critically examines the experiences of women athletes, bodybuilders, recreational exercisers and girls' physical education. What emerges is the importance of visible differences between women and men, in terms of muscularity, strength and agility. If a girl or woman wishes to play the masculine game of sport she must do so in conformity with a number of patriarchal rules which ensure she is first and foremost recognized as a heterosexual feminine being. Contributing to a psychology of the physically active woman by examining women's experiences from feminist and genderd perspectives, It should be of interest to psychologists, sport scientists and health professionals.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0415165601
• ISBN 13: 9780415165600
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 136