Young men's physical activity choices: the impact of capital, masculinities and location

This paper draws on data from an Australian longitudinal study into the place and meaning of physical activity and physical culture in the lives of young people. The aim of the national study is to add meaning to the statistics based on quantitative surveys which suggest a declining participation rate and satisfaction of young people in organized sports, recreational physical activities, and exercise. Frequently socioeconomic status, gender and geography are used as explanatory variables. In this paper we aim to provide an alternative reading of the statistical patterns by exploring how differences in capital (economic, social, and cultural) are played out in the lives of four young Australian males. We argue that schooling, geographical location, and access to capital play an important role in the intersection between masculinities, participation in physical activity, and engagement with physical culture.