Gender Role Stereotypes in Physical Education In Slovenia

Mojca Doupona, Slovenia

Research has been done between Slovenian pupils attending primary school (3488 children from the 4th-8th class where teached after). It shows power and influence of hegemonisitic over athletic activity of girls which maintains, strengthens, and reproduces femininity. An answer that "sport is not appropriate for women" is an obvious illustration of the phenomena. Ten year old children speak even more persuaded in favour of this position than the 13 or 14 year old children. Such statements are a reflection of cultural stereotypes about roles of sexes. Puberty is an important period for young girls, physiological and biological changes are personally and socially significant on that level of physical development and adultness. What pleases us is the fact (shown by the research) that girls at upper grades of primary school fight these stereotypes, some institutionalized definitions and practice of physical education relating to femininity as well. A question if social order of relation between sexes could be changed by changing physical education of girls may be set. And even more, can a policy of physical education of girls also include a strategy which would not only change the physical education of girls, but would be helpful at changing social relationship between sexes as well?
 
 
 

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