Discourse Of Masculinity

Discourses have far reaching effect on how we as humans discuss and experience our bodies. The discourse of normalcy has produced a socially constructed body that either fits or deviates from the socially constructed norm. This results in categorization and stigmatization of individuals based on whether they have more “normal” or “abnormal” traits. Normalcy causes people to continually and meticulously analyze their body, producing discomfort and desire to change. The discourse of gender tightly regulates how and when males and females discuss their bodies. Males rarely vocalize or discuss their bodies with other parties to ensure they do not jeopardize their masculinity. Conversely, females openly discuss their bodies with other females and

Just like normalcy has produced a socially constructed “normal” body, it has also produced the notion of “normal” ways to move our bodies. Society labels individuals that deviate from the so called “normal” bipedal mode of human movement as “handicapped” or “disabled” because they deviate from the socially constructed societal norm. Society is constructed to suit the “normal” body which creates many constraints for non-normal bodies to move, transport and recreate. A second discourse that shapes movement and health practices is gender. How males move and perform in sport and physical activities has been established much differently from the way females do so. Masculinity requires males to powerfully occupy space to assert their dominance, otherwise they fail to powerfully occupy space, showcase their lack of dominance and hence, masculinity. Femininity requires females to do the opposite and limit their space occupation in aims of performing their gender appropriately, abiding by the gender order and to avoid lesbian stigmatization. The discourse of social class also affects our movement and health practices. The degree of health practices that one engages in is directly correlated to their education, which strongly determines one’s social class. Therefore, the higher the social class, the more education one possesses and the better their health practices will be (the opposite exists for lower social classes). Social class also determines the amount of resources available to an individual that allows him/her the opportunity to engage in movement and health practices. Higher social classes are characterized by access to safe communities, recreation facilities and the financial means to eat a nutritious