Bibliograph

The Sexual Politics of Ballroom Dancing, by Vicki Harman

Type

Label

The Sexual Politics of Ballroom Dancing, by Vicki Harman

Language

eng

resource.imageBitDepth

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The Sexual Politics of Ballroom Dancing

Medium

electronic resource

Nature of contents

dictionaries

Oclc number

1056624628

Responsibility statement

by Vicki Harman

Series statement

Genders and Sexualities in the Social SciencesSpringer eBooksSpringer eBooks.

Summary

This book presents an engaging sociological investigation into how gender is negotiated and performed in ballroom and Latin dancing that draws on extensive ethnographic research, as well as the author’s own experience as a dancer. It explores the key factors underpinning the popularity of this leisure activity and highlights what this reveals more broadly about the nature of gender roles at the current time. The author begins with an overview of its rich social history and shifting class status, establishing the context within which contemporary masculinities and femininities in this community are explored. Real and imagined gendered traditions are examined across a range of dancer experiences that follows the trajectory of a typical learner: from finding a partner, attending lessons and forming networks, through to taking part in competitions. The analysis of these narratives creates a nuanced picture of a dance culture that is empowering, yet also highly consumerist and image-conscious; a highly ritualised set of practices that both reinstate and transgress gender roles. This innovative contribution to the feminist leisure literature will appeal to students and scholars of anthropology, dance, sport, gender, cultural and media studies. Vicki Harman is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at University of Surrey, UK. She received the ISA Young Leisure Scholar Award for research that forms part of this book (2016).--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1: Who Cares About Ballroom Dancing? -- Chapter 2: A Social History of Ballroom and Latin Dancing -- Chapter 3: Starting to Dance -- Chapter 4: Building a Serious Leisure Career in Ballroom and Latin American dancing -- Chapter 5: Social Networks and Team Spirit -- Chapter 6: Performing Serious Leisure: Competitions -- Chapter 7: Gender, Ideals and Body Image- Chapter 8: Conclusion

Creator