Shepherds in the Gym: Employing a Pastoral Power Analytic on Caring Teaching in Health and Physical Education

• In Event: Images and Attitudes Surrounding Physical Education

Abstract

Recent Health and Physical Education (HPE) literature has demonstrated a growing interest in the possibilities of a pedagogy underpinned by an ethic of care. Drawing on research conducted in Australia and Sweden, this paper demonstrates the generative possibilities of Foucault’s notion of pastoral power to examine anew this advocacy and the governmental implications of caring teaching. We argue that caring HPE teachers employ a wide range of normalization tools to interpellate young people into a specific model of “normal” healthy active living. We do not attempt to position caring teaching as an inherently bad practice, rather we draw attention to the possible dangers for students and teachers that may result from our enthusiasm as a profession to embrace caring teaching.

Authors

• Marie Ohman, Orebro University

• Louise Anne McCuaig, University of Queensland

• Janice Wright, University of Wollongong