Space for Self-Care? Examining the Influences of Contested Discourses on Middle School Students' Subjectivities

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Diverse and Critical Perspectives in Physical Education

Abstract

Guided by Foucault’s theorization of self-care, this study attempted to identify the influences on discourses of health and body-image associated with middle school students’ perceived values of physical activities in physical education. A representative sample of students were interviewed to provide rationale for being physically active. Results indicate that most students were influenced by health and body-image related discourses, with a few used stereotypical and fearful languages to describe their rationale. Many perceived physical activities as a means to achieve capacities and fat as a barrier to overcome. In-depth analyses on the discourses suggest a need to help students understand the basis on which various discourses are generated and distributed for a better practice of self-care.

Authors

• Tan Zhang, Winston Salem State University

• Ang Chen, University of North Carolina - Greensboro