Qualitative study of bodybuilding culture (Young men of Shiraz)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD in Sociology, (Social Change), Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Sociology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.34785/J016.2021.789

Abstract

The current research aimed at investigating the social process of body management among young men at body building gyms. This study employed grounded theory. The thirteen participants who took part in the present study were attending some gyms in Shiraz, Iran. Depth interviews were used to collect the required data. The interviews were conducted until data saturation concerning various aspects of the study happened. Then the data was analyzed through open-coding, axial coding and selective coding. The results showed five axial categories and one core category. The axial categories included: mental obsessions, dissatisfaction with one’s body, gaining power and prestige, the spread of the consumerism culture and the high demand from the opposite gender. The only core category was related to modern reflexivity of body management and revealing. Moreover, the results indicated that background and some factors like social status, social class and family conditions coupled with gaining power, social influence, social credibility, distinguishing oneself from others, more social acceptability, more selfishness, normative pressures from others, earning status from the opposite gender, and the demands and attractions of the opposite gender have multiple connections with the core category of the study.

Keywords

References

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Sociology of Culture and Art
Volume 2, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
October 2020
Pages 69-49

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