THE USE OF MATERIALS IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES FROM A GENDER PERSPECTIVE

THE CASE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL CULTURE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LA PLATA (ARGENTINA, 1929-1946)

Abstract

We considered, in a relational way, the materials used for secondary education at the Colegio Secundario de Señoritas and at the Colegio Nacional (depending on the National University of La Plata), with regard to physical culture (male) and physical culture feminine and how these artifacts, from a differentiated education, gendered and sexualized. The period covered goes from 1929, when the Department of Physical Culture was created, to 1946, when it was dissolved. We analyze a case because we consider it interesting in itself and we carry out analysis of various and numerous documents. We found that the materials -which were more numerous, expensive, and heavy on male students than on female students- accompanied a process of inequality in favor of men and of social distinction (in the case of males), in line with what happened in the region, although presenting certain peculiarities.