| dc.description.abstract | This study examined the increasing popularity of bodybuilding
among men. Foucault's (1979;1990a) concept of discipline was
incorporated into the analysis to show how bodybuilding shaped and was
shaped by male bodybuilders' presentation of self, specifically their sense
of masculinity. Foucault argued that nineteenth century systems of social
control including the military, schools and
prisons tried to control
peoples' bodies through surveillance and stimulation. Their bodies were
placed in a scientifically managed system of discipline in order to
gain
access to their minds. Disciplinary discourses and
practices produced
'docile' bodies, whose movements were
spatially and temporally
fragmented and partitioned.
Likewise bodybuilding required its
practitioners' adherence to
strict disciplinary regimens such as the weight training work-out and
nutritional programs,
and the corresponding repression of uncontrolled
corporeal and emotional desires. This self-regimentation brought the
respondents closer to cultural ideals of masculinity including power,
domination and control. The majority (81%/n=16) said bodybuilding
enhanced their sense of masculinity by increasing their self-confidence in
regard to body size and strength, appropriate masculine behavior and
attractiveness. They were able to command others' respect and
admiration, which inspired self-pride and self-assurance.
The respondents' views on the relationship between masculinity
and
weight training were compared with those of football athletes and
track and field athletes. The purpose was to determine if and how the
athletes' and bodybuilding respondents' experiences differed. The
bodybuilding and football respondents shared a hyper masculine image
premised upon physical size and
prowess and self-control. In contrast,
the track and field athletes were generally indifferent to
weight training,
which never affected their masculine identity in any noticeable respect. | en_US |
