This book provides an international, multi-disciplinary empirical account of pole classes and how they fit into wider discourses about bodies and gender, and age and fitness. In particular, the book explores how women initiate agency and espouse liberation and empowerment through something as seemingly problematic as pole classes.

Autorentext
SAMANTHA HOLLAND is Research Fellow, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. Her research focuses on gender, ageing, and non-mainstream leisure and subcultures. Her publications include Alternative Femininities: Body, Age and Identity and Remote Relationships in a Small World (edited).

Inhalt
Introduction Towards a Feminist Ethnography From Circus& Sex to Fitness& Leisure What is a Pole Class? What Not to Wear Diversity& Empowerment? A Thing of Beauty' The Pole Community: Opening Closed Minds Case Study I: 'Empowering women with confidence' Case Study II: Power Moves& Everyday Bodies Conclusions: A Positive Active Identity? Appendix I: Questions for online questionnaire and statistics of responses Appendix II: Websites of Instructors Who Took Part + Schools Mentioned Bibliography Index