“...If I Had a Choice, I Would....” A Feminist Poststructuralist Perspective on Girls in Physical Education
Abstract
A significant number of studies evidence girls' lack of participation in physical education. This study used feminist poststructuralism to examine the ways in which high school girls participated in or resisted physical education. Using qualitative research methods, researchers collected field notes, informal interviews, and formal interviews with the teacher and 15 female students. In contrast to previous studies, girls in this study enjoyed and valued physical activity. As active agents, they chose to participate in or resist specific physical activities through their negotiations of gender relations. Physical education classes emerged as a contested terrain in which girls supported the notion of equal opportunity in physical activity but perceived limits on their choices in physical education as compared to male peers.
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Most included qualitative studies were of moderate quality, with four of high quality.
“Most included qualitative studies were of moderate quality, with four of high quality 38, 39, 40, 41.”
From The school environment and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a mixed-studies systematic review (2016) · cites this paper as [40]
Girls restricted their engagement with PE when they perceived it as being gendered, unwelcoming to their participation and thus, not a choice.
“one study reported how girls restricted their engagement with PE when they perceived it as being gendered, unwelcoming to their participation and thus, not a choice 40.”
From The school environment and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a mixed-studies systematic review (2016) · cites this paper as [40]
The notion of separating classes by gender or ability showed mixed opinions.
“The notion of separating classes by gender 39, 40, 47, 67 or ability 39 showed mixed opinions.”
From The school environment and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a mixed-studies systematic review (2016) · cites this paper as [40]
Students, parents and schools believed that excuse notes provided a legitimate means to disengage from PE.
“Students, parents and schools believed that excuse notes provided a legitimate means to disengage from PE 40.”
From The school environment and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a mixed-studies systematic review (2016) · cites this paper as [40]
Students reported that they would like teachers to make them feel more involved and give students more choice.
“Students reported that they would like teachers to make them feel more involved and give students more choice 40, 52”
From The school environment and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a mixed-studies systematic review (2016) · cites this paper as [40]
Adolescent girls were positive about co-educational PE and felt that the interaction with boys fostered participation (effort) and skill development.
“In contrast, adolescent girls were positive about co‐educational PE and felt that the interaction with boys fostered participation (effort) and skill development 40, 67.”
From The school environment and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a mixed-studies systematic review (2016) · cites this paper as [40]
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- Authors
- Azzarito, L., Solmon, M. A., & Harrison, L.
- Affiliations
- Loughborough University (GB)
- Louisiana State University (US)
- ORCID
- Harrison, Louis
- Venue
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2006-06
- Volume
- 77
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 222-239
- ISSN
- 0034-5377 (ISSN-L)
- 0270-1367
- 2168-3824
- OpenAlex
- W1973731216
- Cited by
- 163
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 11.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Physical Education and Pedagogy
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sports, Gender, and Society
- Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Sports and Physical Education Studies
- Keywords
- gender relations, feminist poststructuralism, high school girls, student participation, equal opportunities, teacher-student relationship
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Attitude, Basketball, Choice Behavior, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Louisiana, Physical Education and Training, Prejudice, Sex Factors, Sports, Students, Tennis, Racquet Sports, Feminism, Qualitative Research
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