Trajectories of adolescent bodily practices: gender, class, and linkages in a socially segregated city

Abstract

This paper proposes to characterize the trajectories of body practices of female adolescents living in the city of Córdoba (Argentina) and analyze class and gender traits and distinctions. Employing a qualitative and exploratory approach, we conducted open interviews with adolescents from two different social sectors, allowing us to identify striking differences and, at the same time, regularities that shed light on structural aspects of class. These aspects appear to condition and, in turn, enable certain (and not others) experiences and trajectories of practices, thereby influencing participation in the city’s life. Notably, a significant inequality is observed in the experiences of adolescent bodily practices (BP). In upper-middle social sectors, there is inclusion in prestigious and publicly recognized BP spaces, supported by strong networks. Conversely, lower-middle sectors report precarious participation in sports spaces, characterized by weak and sporadic social ties. When inquiring about the types of practices with which they have been engaged, both groups demonstrate the reproduction of gender mandates assigned to women in Argentine culture. However, exceptions within these patterns indicate a changing society.