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“It's gym, like g-y-m not J-i-m”: Exploring the role of place in the gendering of physical activity

Coen, Stephanie E.; Rosenberg, Mark W.; Davidson, Joyce

Authors

Mark W. Rosenberg

Joyce Davidson



Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Physical activity is a highly gendered health behaviour, with women less likely than men to meet internationally accepted physical activity guidelines. In this article, we take up recent arguments on the potential of indoor spaces to illuminate processes shaping health, together with social theories of gender, to conceptualize the place of the gym as a window into understanding and intervening in wider gender disparities in physical activity. Using a triangulated strategy of qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, drawing, and journaling with men and women in a mid-sized Canadian city, we examine how gender influences exercise practices and mobilities in gym environments. Results of our thematic analysis reveal three socio-spatial processes implicated in the gendering of physical activity: 1) embodying gender ideals, 2) policing gender performance, and 3) spatializing gender relations. A fourth theme illustrates the situated agency some individuals enact to disrupt gendered divisions. Although women were unduly disadvantaged, both women and men experienced significant limitations on their gym participation due to the presiding gendered social context of the gym. Gender-transformative interventions that go beyond engaging women to comprehensively contend with the place-based gender relations that sustain gender hegemony are needed. While gyms are potentially sites for health promotion, they are also places where gendered inequities in health opportunities emerge.

Citation

Coen, S. E., Rosenberg, M. W., & Davidson, J. (2018). “It's gym, like g-y-m not J-i-m”: Exploring the role of place in the gendering of physical activity. Social Science and Medicine, 196, 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.10.036

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 31, 2017
Online Publication Date Nov 2, 2017
Publication Date 2018-01
Deposit Date Jan 22, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Social Science & Medicine
Print ISSN 0277-9536
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 196
Pages 29-36
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.10.036
Keywords Gender; Gyms; Health inequities; Physical activity; Place
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1485256
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953617306536
Additional Information This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: “It's gym, like g-y-m not J-i-m”: Exploring the role of place in the gendering of physical activity; Journal Title: Social Science & Medicine; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.10.036; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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