Family, class and embodiment: why school physical education makes so little difference to post‐school participation patterns in physical activity

Abstract

This paper draws attention to the political economy of embodiment: how, as symbolic and economic capital intersect, particular characteristics, forms and expressions of corporeality are ‘produced’, nurtured, resourced and subsequently ascribed value as ‘ability’, in and outside schools. The analyses suggest that increasing amounts of the ‘work of learning’ in order to become ‘appropriately embodied’ – slim, active and physically literate in physical activity and sport – are and have to be done outside school, in and around the home, as part of what we refer to as the ‘corporealisation of childhood’. Using ‘visual ethnography’ with particular reference to texts, images and representations of ‘Tumble Tots’ and other forms of ‘private enterprise physical education’ (PEPE) featuring in the UK, we illustrate how these processes appeal to and help reproduce particular social class interests, before drawing out the implications of the analyses for issues of social equality, pedagogy, policy and research in education and PE.

Keywords:

• ethnography
• political economy
• embodiment
• physical education
• body pedagogy

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to Tumble Tots, particularly its Managing Director David Hunt, for permission to use material from the Tumble Tots website in this paper. It is to be made clear that Tumble Tots does not agree with the analyses contained in this paper in their entirety, but offers permission in the interest of furthering debate around issues of equity, inclusion and how we might widen participation in play and other forms of physical activity for all children and young people. For our own part, we would again wish to emphasise that this paper is not criticism of the opportunities and practices provided by Tumble Tots, which in our experience are highly professional and bring joy to countless numbers of children. We are also extremely grateful to the reviewers of this paper for their invaluable comments and advice although we have not been able to address all of their concerns in this paper.