Overview
- Draws on in-depth interviews with gay and straight men
- Offers an original contribution to inclusive masculinity theory
- Unique in its particular focus on South Africa
Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Masculinity, Sport and Exercise (PSMSE)
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Table of contents (8 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
This book explores the experiences of self-identified heterosexual and gay men in contemporary South African gym contexts, particularly as it relates to how the intersection of spornosexual and inclusive masculinities inform their views and enactment of their masculine and sexual identities. Chapters engage with findings from an in-depth qualitative sociological exploration on issues surrounding these masculinities among men living in South Africa who engage in gym work. The author demonstrates that men, when given the opportunity to reflect on their own and the masculinity of others, acknowledge how they promote softer, kinder, disciplined, playful, and sexually agentic masculinities through their look and touch.
Reviews
—Dennis Francis, Professor of Sociology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
“This superbly crafted book probing ‘macho men’ and spornosexuality makes a critical contribution to the study of men and masculinities in South Africa. Rothmann’s empirical work is rich and in-depth, and his embracing of inclusive masculine theory is very compelling. The book offers nuanced insight into how gym enthusiasts, men who spend time conscientiously shaping up their bodies, reflect on their and others’ masculinities. This is an enjoyable read and an example of exemplary sociological scholarship.”
—Kammila Naidoo, Professor of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Jacques Rothmann is an Associate Professor in Sociology at the North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, South Africa. His key research interests include gay and masculinities studies. He was awarded a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y-Rating for research expertise in sexuality studies in 2020.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Macho Men in South African Gyms
Book Subtitle: The Idealization of Spornosexuality
Authors: Jacques Rothmann
Series Title: Palgrave Studies in Masculinity, Sport and Exercise
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15440-9
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham
eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-031-15439-3Published: 11 October 2022
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-031-15442-3Published: 11 October 2023
eBook ISBN: 978-3-031-15440-9Published: 10 October 2022
Series ISSN: 2662-740X
Series E-ISSN: 2662-7418
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXI, 237
Number of Illustrations: 3 b/w illustrations, 8 illustrations in colour
Topics: Gender Studies, Sociology of the Body, Sport Science , Queer Studies