Physical education – lifestyle sport, neoliberalism, and childhoods

Blair, Richard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5530-0770 (2025) Physical education – lifestyle sport, neoliberalism, and childhoods. In: Teaching and Coaching Lifestyle Sports. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 9781003452454

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Abstract

This chapter considers the relationships between lifestyle sport, neoliberalism, and childhoods, within the context of teaching physical education (PE) in English schools. The discussion aims to support a critical awareness regarding the teaching of and learning through lifestyle sport, as a group of activities with a specific ethos and movement emphasis. Lifestyle sport as a physical activity that can support the development of the skills, attitudes, and competencies required to flourish in modern, neoliberal societies. The introduction highlights the neoliberal approach of modern societies; the social and economic position is developed with a focus on childhoods, specifically how children and young people are experiencing society, education, and PE. The chapter’s attention is narrowed with a section on the historical and cultural beginnings of lifestyle sport, which is then followed by a section that considers the political ideologies of the National Curriculum and the National Curriculum Physical Education. The final section focuses on lifestyle sport and PE and discusses its relevance, importance, and value in relation to children and society. The chapter concludes by highlighting the importance of teachers, schools, and PE departments, carefully considering their curriculum offer, with some persuasion and rationale for the inclusion of lifestyle sport.

Item Type:	Book Section
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports L Education > L Education (General)
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Depositing User:	Charlotte Crutchlow
Date Deposited:	14 Mar 2025 10:29
Last Modified:	14 Mar 2025 10:30
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/14813

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