The field of sports has traditionally been a domain that practices and reinforces masculinity. However, in contemporary literature, observations and experiences of males in sports have expanded their ideas on masculinity as well as gender identity. Furthermore, there is an increase in males participating in non-orthodox masculine physical activities, most of which are known as “gender appropriate” for females such as cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, etc. Recently, pole dance – a stigmatized female-oriented activity – has become a newly introduced activity in the sports scene and one in which males are gradually engaging in worldwide. In the case of Korea, the phenomenon of men taking part in female-concentrated activities is not common; however, there are a rising number of male pole dancers visible through national competitions and media sources. Therefore, this study explores the experiences of Korean male exotic pole dance practitioners to understand how they define gender identity whilst participating in a highly female-oriented activity. It was found that research participants articulated beyond their biological sex and practice not to conform to social gender roles, and rather emphasized their manifested identity of individual self. Despite Korea’s cultural and traditional aspects of gender norms, this study establishes a broader segment of gender ideas and expands the understanding of various identities spoken among male polers.
Recently, a significant growth in immigrant populations has influenced the social, cultural, and political landscape of many local communities. Understanding such changes in U.S. and local demography are central to effective efforts toward reducing physical inactivity, and associated health risks and diseases. In part to document the ways that physical activity currently fits into particular women’s lives, and as critique of the essentialized notions of immigrant communities as deficient in their health standards, we set out to investigate just how physically active Latinas in local communities were. The research was guided by the following two questions: 1) What are the social conditions under which adolescent Latinas make choices about physical activity? 2) To what extent are adolescent Latinas involved in physical activity? Centering on these two questions we administered questionnaires that measured current physical activity involvement, and individual and family background factors. Survey data indicate that Latina physical activity scores increase when home and work related physical activity is included in a self-report measure.
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