Aesthetic/affective norms of femininity: An obstacle to women’s performance of exercise

• Published in: International review for the sociology of sport 2021-11, Vol.56 (7), p.1070-1086
• Main Authors: Energici, María-Alejandra, Schöngut-Grollmus, Nicolás, Soto-Lagos, Rodrigo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aesthetics; Body image; Exercise; Femininity; Gender differences; Human body; Mass media images; Norms; Physical fitness; Qualitative research; Women
• ISSN: 1012-6902; 1461-7218
• DOI: 10.1177/1012690220969352

Aesthetic/affective norms around femininity could be an obstacle to women’s performance of exercise. Gender differences are significant: women are considerably more inactive than men. In this article we worked with the notion of body image and body affect, with the aim of reflecting on how aesthetic/affective norms around femininity could be an obstacle to women’s performance of exercise in Chile. To understand how these aesthetic/affective norms hinder physical activity, we analyzed media images using a qualitative methodology. The results show that there are four types of female body: extremely thin, thin, fat, and obese. This study explores how affectivity relates to the way in which exercise should be experienced: women must enjoy the actions in order to achieve the ideal body; indeed, they must experience them as pleasant. They should also be performed on a body that feels graceful, fragile, and small. We draw conclusions on the way in which images promote a body affect for the self and for others that becomes a barrier to the performance of female exercise.