Critical Postmodernism in Human Movement, Physical Education, and Sport

Book excerpt: This book proposes alternative ways of looking at human movement and brings into question the traditional role of the human-movement profession as an agent of social and cultural reproduction. The authors argue that the profession has traditionally shaped physical activities in schools and communities in disempowering ways and has adversely influenced how people view their bodies, apply physical activities to their lives, and use and understand the knowledge in the field. To raise awareness of the possibilities of postmodernism for human movement, the contributors employ a critical postmodern conceptualization of the profession to explore the conflicts within it; to ask what can be done to strengthen it; to investigate how professional relations and meanings can be constructed within a new realm of justice, freedom, and equity; and to discuss the professional and civic principles to which the profession should subscribe.