disadvantaging others. In exploring the interface of Islam and PE, her work highlights how a monocultural curriculum fails to consider Muslim girls’ religious requirements, often causing Muslim girls to disengage from the subject; a situation that ultimately reinforces stereotypical beliefs about their disinterest and inability in the subject. More recently, PE and physical activity research has begun to consider individual experiences, rather than those of groups. In exploring individual difference, attention is drawn to the importance of discourse, in particular, how discourses are embodied by individuals in diverse ways, leading to multiple and fluid identities (Garrett, 2004a). This theoretical shift moves away from exploring structural oppression and inequalities to acknowledging girls’ agency in drawing on alternative discourses in the constitution of their identities and negotiating power relations. For example, the young Muslim women in Jiwani and Rail’s research (2010) demonstrate an ability to be strategic and resourceful in meeting their multiple needs whilst operating in a complex network of competing and conflicting discourses. Drawing on discourses of health, obesity, and femininity, they express a desire to be physically active to achieve the ideal body shape; they recite interpretations of the Koran that encourage a healthy lifestyle in articulating their right to exercise, and seek settings that consider their religious identity. Whilst focusing on individual experiences can contribute to dispelling stereotypes, Hargreaves (2004) notes that attention is drawn away from group experiences that underline the enduring nature of discrimination. In acknowledging these concerns, the importance of adopting a ground’ approach (Archer et al., 2001) to develop more sophisticated ‘middle understandings is recognised. To help encapsulate and organise some key features of middle ground thinking, the paper draws upon Hill Collins’ (2000) matrix of domination as a conceptual framework and intersectionality as a process.
disadvantaging others. In exploring the interface of Islam and PE, her work highlights how a monocultural curriculum fails to consider Muslim girls’ religious requirements, often causing Muslim girls to disengage from the subject; a situation that ultimately reinforces stereotypical beliefs about their disinterest and inability in the subject. More recently, PE and physical activity research has begun to consider individual experiences, rather than those of groups. In exploring individual difference, attention is drawn to the importance of discourse, in particular, how discourses are embodied by individuals in diverse ways, leading to multiple and fluid identities (Garrett, 2004a). This theoretical shift moves away from exploring structural oppression and inequalities to acknowledging girls’ agency in drawing on alternative discourses in the constitution of their identities and negotiating power relations. For example, the young Muslim women in Jiwani and Rail’s research (2010) demonstrate an ability to be strategic and resourceful in meeting their multiple needs whilst operating in a complex network of competing and conflicting discourses. Drawing on discourses of health, obesity, and femininity, they express a desire to be physically active to achieve the ideal body shape; they recite interpretations of the Koran that encourage a healthy lifestyle in articulating their right to exercise, and seek settings that consider their religious identity. Whilst focusing on individual experiences can contribute to dispelling stereotypes, Hargreaves (2004) notes that attention is drawn away from group experiences that underline the enduring nature of discrimination. In acknowledging these concerns, the importance of adopting a ‘middle ground’ approach (Archer et al., 2001) to develop more sophisticated understandings is recognised. To help encapsulate and organise some key features of middle ground thinking, the paper draws upon Hill Collins’ (2000) matrix of domination as a conceptual framework and intersectionality as a process.
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