The problem of ideology in making sense of physical education and sport: reflections on the Colwell-Mansfield debate

Katie/K Liston

doi:10.1177/1356336X07085713

The problem of ideology in making sense of physical education and sport: reflections on the Colwell-Mansfield debate

Katie/K Liston

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two papers in the European Physical Education Review by Colwell (1999) and Mansfield(this issue) have argued respectively against, and in favour of, a potential synthesisbetween feminism and figurational sociology as a vehicle for making more adequatesense of physical education and sport. This paper offers both selective summaries andreflections upon some of the theoretical implications arising from this exchange,specifically as it relates to sport in schools. The first sections offer some remarks aboutsociological theory and the ways in which the theoretical endeavour is bound up withwhat C. Wright Mills has termed ‘the sociological imagination’, one aspect of whichhas included the relatively recent emergence of a more reflexive, democratizing andsynthesizing generation of sociologists. The paper concludes that we do not have toeither agree or disagree with Colwell or Mansfield. Nor is there a need for a presentcentredapproach to, or resolution of, the theoretical issues arising from the exchange.Rather, there is scope for stimulating further this kind of dialogue between researchersof physical education, sport and gender and being well versed in these concerns.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	123-134
Journal	European Physical Education Review
Volume	14
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X07085713
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - Oct 2008

Bibliographical note

Reference text: Colwell, S. (1999) ‘Feminisms and Figurational Sociology: Contributions to Understandings
of Sports, Physical Education and Sex/Gender’, European Physical Education Review 5(3):
219–40.
Du Bois, B. (1983) ‘Passionate Scholarship: Notes on Values, Knowing and Method in
Feminist Social Science’, in G. Bowles and R. Klein (eds) Theories of Women’s Studies,
pp. 105–16. London: Routledge.
Dunning, E. (1992) ‘Figurational Sociology and the Sociology of Sport: Some Concluding
Remarks’, in E. Dunning and C. Rojek (eds) Sport and Leisure in the Civilizing Process,
pp. 221–84. London: Macmillan.
Dunning, E. (1999) Sport Matters. London: Routledge.
Dunning, E. and Mennell, S. (2003) ‘Editors’ Introduction’, in E. Dunning and S. Mennell
(eds) Norbert Elias, vol, pp. ix–xxxvii. London: SAGE.
Elias, N. (1978) What is Sociology? London: Macmillan.
Elias, N. (1987) ‘The Retreat of Sociologists into the Present’, Theory, Culture & Society 4(2/3):
223–49.
Elias, N. (2007) Involvement and Detachment (Collected Words, vol. 8). Dublin: University
College Dublin Press.
Evans, J. and Penney, D. (2002) ‘Introduction’, in D. Penney (ed.) Gender and Physical
Education: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions, pp. 3–13. London: Routledge.
Goudsblom, J. (1977) Sociology in the Balance: A Critical Essay. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
Green, K. (1999) ‘Editorial’, European Physical Education Review 5(3): 179–80.
Green, K. (2002) ‘Physical Education Teachers in their Figurations: A Sociological Analysis of
Everyday “Philosophies” in Physical Education’, Sport, Education and Society 7(1): 65–83.
Green, K. (2006) ‘Physical Education and Figurational Sociology: An Appreciation of the
Work of Eric Dunning’, Sport in Society 9(4): 650–65.
Hargreaves, J. (1992) ‘Sex, Gender and the Body in Sport and Leisure: Has there been a
Civilizing Process?’, in E. Dunning and C. Rojek (eds) Sport and Leisure in the Civilizing
Process, pp. 161–83. London: Macmillan.
Jarvie, G. (2006) Sport, Culture and Society: An Introduction. London: Routledge.
Kay, T. (2006) ‘Daughters of Islam: Family Influences on Muslim Young Women’s Participation
in Sport’, International Review for the Sociology of Sport 41(3/4): 339–55.
Keat, R. and Urry, J. (1975) Social Theory as Science. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Kilminster, R. (2004) ‘From Distance to Detachment: Knowledge and Self-Knowledge in
Elias’s Theory of Involvement and Detachment’, in S. Quilley and S. Loyal (eds) The
Sociology of Norbert Elias, pp. 25–41. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kirk, D., Macdonald, D. and O’Sullivan, M. (eds) (2006) The Handbook of Physical Education.
London: SAGE.
Liston, K. (2007) ‘Revisiting the Feminist–Figurational Exchange’, Sport in Society 10(4): 623–46.
McArdle, W., Katch, F. and Katch, V. (2007) Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human
Performance (6th edn). Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins.
Maguire, J. and Young, K. (eds) (2002) Theory, Sport and Society. London: JAI, Elsevier Science.
Mansfield, L. (2002) ‘Feminist and Figurational Sociology: Dialogue and Potential Synthesis’,
in J. Maguire and K. Young (eds) Theory, Sport and Society, pp. 317–35. London: JAI,
Elsevier Science.
Mennell, S. (1992) Norbert Elias: An Introduction. Dublin: University College Dublin Press.
Nilges, L. (2006) ‘Feminist Strands, Perspectives, and Methodology for Research in Physical
Education’, in D. Kirk, D. Macdonald and M. O’Sullivan (eds) The Handbook of Physical
Education, pp. 76–94. London: SAGE.
Penney, D. (ed.) (2002) Gender and Physical Education: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions.
London: Routledge.

Keywords

Key-words: feminism • figurational sociology • physical education • sociological theory •
values

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1177/1356336X07085713

Cite this

@article{281be9c57c78453587db7ad062159d45,

title = "The problem of ideology in making sense of physical education and sport: reflections on the Colwell-Mansfield debate",

abstract = "Two papers in the European Physical Education Review by Colwell (1999) and Mansfield(this issue) have argued respectively against, and in favour of, a potential synthesisbetween feminism and figurational sociology as a vehicle for making more adequatesense of physical education and sport. This paper offers both selective summaries andreflections upon some of the theoretical implications arising from this exchange,specifically as it relates to sport in schools. The first sections offer some remarks aboutsociological theory and the ways in which the theoretical endeavour is bound up withwhat C. Wright Mills has termed {\textquoteleft}the sociological imagination{\textquoteright}, one aspect of whichhas included the relatively recent emergence of a more reflexive, democratizing andsynthesizing generation of sociologists. The paper concludes that we do not have toeither agree or disagree with Colwell or Mansfield. Nor is there a need for a presentcentredapproach to, or resolution of, the theoretical issues arising from the exchange.Rather, there is scope for stimulating further this kind of dialogue between researchersof physical education, sport and gender and being well versed in these concerns.",

keywords = "Key-words: feminism • figurational sociology • physical education • sociological theory •, values",

author = "Katie/K Liston",

note = "Reference text: Colwell, S. (1999) {\textquoteleft}Feminisms and Figurational Sociology: Contributions to Understandings of Sports, Physical Education and Sex/Gender{\textquoteright}, European Physical Education Review 5(3): 219–40. Du Bois, B. (1983) {\textquoteleft}Passionate Scholarship: Notes on Values, Knowing and Method in Feminist Social Science{\textquoteright}, in G. Bowles and R. Klein (eds) Theories of Women{\textquoteright}s Studies, pp. 105–16. London: Routledge. Dunning, E. (1992) {\textquoteleft}Figurational Sociology and the Sociology of Sport: Some Concluding Remarks{\textquoteright}, in E. Dunning and C. Rojek (eds) Sport and Leisure in the Civilizing Process, pp. 221–84. London: Macmillan. Dunning, E. (1999) Sport Matters. London: Routledge. Dunning, E. and Mennell, S. (2003) {\textquoteleft}Editors{\textquoteright} Introduction{\textquoteright}, in E. Dunning and S. Mennell (eds) Norbert Elias, vol, pp. ix–xxxvii. London: SAGE. Elias, N. (1978) What is Sociology? London: Macmillan. Elias, N. (1987) {\textquoteleft}The Retreat of Sociologists into the Present{\textquoteright}, Theory, Culture & Society 4(2/3): 223–49. Elias, N. (2007) Involvement and Detachment (Collected Words, vol. 8). Dublin: University College Dublin Press. Evans, J. and Penney, D. (2002) {\textquoteleft}Introduction{\textquoteright}, in D. Penney (ed.) Gender and Physical Education: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions, pp. 3–13. London: Routledge. Goudsblom, J. (1977) Sociology in the Balance: A Critical Essay. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. Green, K. (1999) {\textquoteleft}Editorial{\textquoteright}, European Physical Education Review 5(3): 179–80. Green, K. (2002) {\textquoteleft}Physical Education Teachers in their Figurations: A Sociological Analysis of Everyday “Philosophies” in Physical Education{\textquoteright}, Sport, Education and Society 7(1): 65–83. Green, K. (2006) {\textquoteleft}Physical Education and Figurational Sociology: An Appreciation of the Work of Eric Dunning{\textquoteright}, Sport in Society 9(4): 650–65. Hargreaves, J. (1992) {\textquoteleft}Sex, Gender and the Body in Sport and Leisure: Has there been a Civilizing Process?{\textquoteright}, in E. Dunning and C. Rojek (eds) Sport and Leisure in the Civilizing Process, pp. 161–83. London: Macmillan. Jarvie, G. (2006) Sport, Culture and Society: An Introduction. London: Routledge. Kay, T. (2006) {\textquoteleft}Daughters of Islam: Family Influences on Muslim Young Women{\textquoteright}s Participation in Sport{\textquoteright}, International Review for the Sociology of Sport 41(3/4): 339–55. Keat, R. and Urry, J. (1975) Social Theory as Science. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. Kilminster, R. (2004) {\textquoteleft}From Distance to Detachment: Knowledge and Self-Knowledge in Elias{\textquoteright}s Theory of Involvement and Detachment{\textquoteright}, in S. Quilley and S. Loyal (eds) The Sociology of Norbert Elias, pp. 25–41. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Kirk, D., Macdonald, D. and O{\textquoteright}Sullivan, M. (eds) (2006) The Handbook of Physical Education. London: SAGE. Liston, K. (2007) {\textquoteleft}Revisiting the Feminist–Figurational Exchange{\textquoteright}, Sport in Society 10(4): 623–46. McArdle, W., Katch, F. and Katch, V. (2007) Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance (6th edn). Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins. Maguire, J. and Young, K. (eds) (2002) Theory, Sport and Society. London: JAI, Elsevier Science. Mansfield, L. (2002) {\textquoteleft}Feminist and Figurational Sociology: Dialogue and Potential Synthesis{\textquoteright}, in J. Maguire and K. Young (eds) Theory, Sport and Society, pp. 317–35. London: JAI, Elsevier Science. Mennell, S. (1992) Norbert Elias: An Introduction. Dublin: University College Dublin Press. Nilges, L. (2006) {\textquoteleft}Feminist Strands, Perspectives, and Methodology for Research in Physical Education{\textquoteright}, in D. Kirk, D. Macdonald and M. O{\textquoteright}Sullivan (eds) The Handbook of Physical Education, pp. 76–94. London: SAGE. Penney, D. (ed.) (2002) Gender and Physical Education: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions. London: Routledge.",

year = "2008",

month = oct,

doi = "10.1177/1356336X07085713",

language = "English",

volume = "14",

pages = "123--134",

journal = "European Physical Education Review",

issn = "1741-2749",

publisher = "SAGE Publications",

number = "1",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - The problem of ideology in making sense of physical education and sport: reflections on the Colwell-Mansfield debate

AU - Liston, Katie/K

N1 - Reference text: Colwell, S. (1999) ‘Feminisms and Figurational Sociology: Contributions to Understandings of Sports, Physical Education and Sex/Gender’, European Physical Education Review 5(3): 219–40. Du Bois, B. (1983) ‘Passionate Scholarship: Notes on Values, Knowing and Method in Feminist Social Science’, in G. Bowles and R. Klein (eds) Theories of Women’s Studies, pp. 105–16. London: Routledge. Dunning, E. (1992) ‘Figurational Sociology and the Sociology of Sport: Some Concluding Remarks’, in E. Dunning and C. Rojek (eds) Sport and Leisure in the Civilizing Process, pp. 221–84. London: Macmillan. Dunning, E. (1999) Sport Matters. London: Routledge. Dunning, E. and Mennell, S. (2003) ‘Editors’ Introduction’, in E. Dunning and S. Mennell (eds) Norbert Elias, vol, pp. ix–xxxvii. London: SAGE. Elias, N. (1978) What is Sociology? London: Macmillan. Elias, N. (1987) ‘The Retreat of Sociologists into the Present’, Theory, Culture & Society 4(2/3): 223–49. Elias, N. (2007) Involvement and Detachment (Collected Words, vol. 8). Dublin: University College Dublin Press. Evans, J. and Penney, D. (2002) ‘Introduction’, in D. Penney (ed.) Gender and Physical Education: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions, pp. 3–13. London: Routledge. Goudsblom, J. (1977) Sociology in the Balance: A Critical Essay. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. Green, K. (1999) ‘Editorial’, European Physical Education Review 5(3): 179–80. Green, K. (2002) ‘Physical Education Teachers in their Figurations: A Sociological Analysis of Everyday “Philosophies” in Physical Education’, Sport, Education and Society 7(1): 65–83. Green, K. (2006) ‘Physical Education and Figurational Sociology: An Appreciation of the Work of Eric Dunning’, Sport in Society 9(4): 650–65. Hargreaves, J. (1992) ‘Sex, Gender and the Body in Sport and Leisure: Has there been a Civilizing Process?’, in E. Dunning and C. Rojek (eds) Sport and Leisure in the Civilizing Process, pp. 161–83. London: Macmillan. Jarvie, G. (2006) Sport, Culture and Society: An Introduction. London: Routledge. Kay, T. (2006) ‘Daughters of Islam: Family Influences on Muslim Young Women’s Participation in Sport’, International Review for the Sociology of Sport 41(3/4): 339–55. Keat, R. and Urry, J. (1975) Social Theory as Science. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. Kilminster, R. (2004) ‘From Distance to Detachment: Knowledge and Self-Knowledge in Elias’s Theory of Involvement and Detachment’, in S. Quilley and S. Loyal (eds) The Sociology of Norbert Elias, pp. 25–41. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Kirk, D., Macdonald, D. and O’Sullivan, M. (eds) (2006) The Handbook of Physical Education. London: SAGE. Liston, K. (2007) ‘Revisiting the Feminist–Figurational Exchange’, Sport in Society 10(4): 623–46. McArdle, W., Katch, F. and Katch, V. (2007) Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance (6th edn). Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins. Maguire, J. and Young, K. (eds) (2002) Theory, Sport and Society. London: JAI, Elsevier Science. Mansfield, L. (2002) ‘Feminist and Figurational Sociology: Dialogue and Potential Synthesis’, in J. Maguire and K. Young (eds) Theory, Sport and Society, pp. 317–35. London: JAI, Elsevier Science. Mennell, S. (1992) Norbert Elias: An Introduction. Dublin: University College Dublin Press. Nilges, L. (2006) ‘Feminist Strands, Perspectives, and Methodology for Research in Physical Education’, in D. Kirk, D. Macdonald and M. O’Sullivan (eds) The Handbook of Physical Education, pp. 76–94. London: SAGE. Penney, D. (ed.) (2002) Gender and Physical Education: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions. London: Routledge.

PY - 2008/10

Y1 - 2008/10

N2 - Two papers in the European Physical Education Review by Colwell (1999) and Mansfield(this issue) have argued respectively against, and in favour of, a potential synthesisbetween feminism and figurational sociology as a vehicle for making more adequatesense of physical education and sport. This paper offers both selective summaries andreflections upon some of the theoretical implications arising from this exchange,specifically as it relates to sport in schools. The first sections offer some remarks aboutsociological theory and the ways in which the theoretical endeavour is bound up withwhat C. Wright Mills has termed ‘the sociological imagination’, one aspect of whichhas included the relatively recent emergence of a more reflexive, democratizing andsynthesizing generation of sociologists. The paper concludes that we do not have toeither agree or disagree with Colwell or Mansfield. Nor is there a need for a presentcentredapproach to, or resolution of, the theoretical issues arising from the exchange.Rather, there is scope for stimulating further this kind of dialogue between researchersof physical education, sport and gender and being well versed in these concerns.

AB - Two papers in the European Physical Education Review by Colwell (1999) and Mansfield(this issue) have argued respectively against, and in favour of, a potential synthesisbetween feminism and figurational sociology as a vehicle for making more adequatesense of physical education and sport. This paper offers both selective summaries andreflections upon some of the theoretical implications arising from this exchange,specifically as it relates to sport in schools. The first sections offer some remarks aboutsociological theory and the ways in which the theoretical endeavour is bound up withwhat C. Wright Mills has termed ‘the sociological imagination’, one aspect of whichhas included the relatively recent emergence of a more reflexive, democratizing andsynthesizing generation of sociologists. The paper concludes that we do not have toeither agree or disagree with Colwell or Mansfield. Nor is there a need for a presentcentredapproach to, or resolution of, the theoretical issues arising from the exchange.Rather, there is scope for stimulating further this kind of dialogue between researchersof physical education, sport and gender and being well versed in these concerns.

KW - Key-words: feminism • figurational sociology • physical education • sociological theory •

KW - values

U2 - 10.1177/1356336X07085713

DO - 10.1177/1356336X07085713

M3 - Article

SN - 1741-2749

VL - 14

SP - 123

EP - 134

JO - European Physical Education Review

JF - European Physical Education Review

IS - 1

ER -

The problem of ideology in making sense of physical education and sport: reflections on the Colwell-Mansfield debate

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

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