Physical Education – Analytical Exposition

Physical education – Analytical exposition

Developed by Professor Peter Figueroa, Figueroa’s framework was originally engineered to help examine racism in the UK, specifically focusing on equity and access in everyday life. However it is now primarily utilized as “A useful tool to investigate the ways in which inequities can be challenged in the area of exercise, sport and physical activity.”(Year 12, (2016) Physical education- Ballroom dance: student workbook) Figueroa’s framework is split up into five separate levels; The Cultural level, Structural level, Institutional level, Interpersonal level and lastly the Individual level. Each of these levels directly links to the level below, starting at the Cultural level and working downwards to the Individual level.

By applying Figueroa’s framework multiple strategies will be developed, created to overcome the various barriers that are faced by teenagers whom participate in ballroom dance on the Sunshine Coast. These recommendations will specifically concentrate on one level, the Institutional level. The Institutional level relates to institutions such as; the community, schools, facilities, rules and religion which also includes family. “Institutions such as schools and clubs frequently have rules and procedures that are devised to help to regulate behaviour and practices, presumably for the benefit of those in the institution.”(Year 12, (2016) Physical education- Ballroom dance: student workbook) There are a majority of barriers when it comes to the sport of ballroom dance, in relation to teenagers in school and specifically when linked to the Institutional level. For example, the majority of schools and or clubs focus on the more popular sports of today e.g. Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Soccer etc. Therefore a less mainstream sport such as Ballroom dance isn’t as well known or seen as a “cool” activity by the younger generation. Another major barrier towards the participation in Ballroom dance is gender stereotypes, this is because the sport of dancing has always been seen as a “female favoured” sport. Males were not expected to be seen dancing either by themselves or with a partner of the opposite gender as it wasn’t considered “masculine”.

The first of two strategies to be put forth in order to try and overcome  

The second proposed strategy also in regards to the Institutional level, is overcoming the barrier of teenage males thinking that Ballroom dance is not a suitable sport or physical activity to participate in. I believe that the origin of this problem started in primary schools, with students not being exposed to ballroom dance as a favoured sport. As this particular barrier often starts in primary school it can also be overcome during this stage, the first step in reducing this barrier is to expose younger students to Ballroom dance. As the nearest Ballroom dance centre is on the Gold coast I will contact them and ask them if they have any interest in a partnership to expose Ballroom dance to the Sunshine coast. If there is an agreement I would then set up various meetings with primary schools across the coast starting with Caloundra primary, where a meeting with all the principles from the surrounding area will be held. Throughout this meeting I will explain the importance of exposer towards the younger generation in relation to Ballroom dance.