Social Justice and Fitness

[daedala]

I know that a lot of the people in this community are also interested in social justice.

So is Krista Scott-Dixon at Stumptuous. You may well be interested in this this.

“Fitness” is rarely well defined in feminist social science, and is often used synonymously with thinness or disciplined adherence to a particular, typically restrictive, exercise regime.

Yet in the field of physiology and sports science, fitness is defined as a capacity or preparedness for a specific set of tasks – in essence, the “power to do”. This definition matches the aims of social justice projects.

Fitness and wellness and good nutrition are all social justice projects because they help move us towards the power to do. [emphasis original]

The whole thing is amazing. It cuts directly to the heart of the "wanting to be fit is shallow and anti-feminist" voices that keep muttering in my head.

Comments

[yeloson]

That's a great link! And yeah, the ways in which appearance has hijacked the word "fitness" from capability - which is why "fitness" as applied to women always deals with fat and not muscle.