The Sexual Politics of Ballroom Dancing

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.

Offers fresh insights into the current popularity of ballroom dancing and what this reveals about contemporary gender roles Combines serious leisure and feminist leisure studies with nuanced analysis of ethnographic material Demonstrates how personal practices are marked by a culturally informed attempt to recreate aspects of an imagined past Examines gender, social change and tradition in ballroom and Latin American dancing as an example of contemporary leisure practices

Autorentext
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). She has published in journals including Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Sociology of Health and Illness, European Journal of Marketing, Identities: Global Studies in Power and Culture and Young Consumers.

Inhalt
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.