KNES 293 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: The Symbolic, Anthropometry, Age Of Enlightenment

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Kinesiology
• Course: KNES 293
• Professor: Michael Friedman

Document Summary

Part 1: science in the service of power. The scientific explanation: experts theorized that cyclical theorized that cyclical functioning of female physiology caused physical, emotional, and moral vulnerability and cited as evidence of poor health, fatigue, pain and illness, mood swings, and menstrual irregularities. The science of gender exclusion: with menstruation understood as an eternal would, medical experts recommended that women be prevented from engaging in vigorous exercise and intense athletic competition as a health measure protecting their abilities to bear children. Material impacts of gender: based on health concerns, women were denied equal opportunities to compete in sports and resources for physical activity, additionally, sports for females were modified to limit exertion, aggression, and physical contact. Part 3: science, physical culture, & white supremacy. Scientific racism: to prove the superiority of caucasians and the inferiority of other races, researchers utilized a variety of scientific tests, anthropometry measured body parts to identify physical prowess and intellectual capacity.