Physicality/athleticism

The major factor affecting a boy’s position of peer group status and popularity was his
athletic ability and physical prowess, and many aspects were exhibited and performed at
school in various spaces at different times. Masculinity is instituted in the body and is
expressed through physical practices, but rather than viewing these physical practices as
expressions of an already existing masculinity, I am arguing that masculinity was brought
into being through these practices. For much of the time the boys defined their
masculinity through action, and their bodies/identities became signified either as ‘skilful’,
‘fast’, ‘forceful’ and so on, but also, of course, as ‘awkward’, ‘slow’ or ‘weak’. Whilst
some forms, such as sporting prowess, may be validated by both the formal and informal
cultures, others, such as fighting, may bring sanctions from the formal regime but kudos
in the informal peer group, although this will depend on the school where it happens. For
instance, at Westmoor Abbey, although the victor of a fight may have been penalised or
chastised by the adult authority, these boys usually gained more status than the defeated
who would generally lose an appreciable amount of respect and credibility, and even
friendship, amongst their peers.

The importance of sport in the formation of masculinities has been recognised by a
number of writers (see, for example, Kessler et al.,1985; Messner & Sabo, 1990;
Whitson, 1990; Mac an Ghaill, 1994; Connell, 1995, 1996, 2000; Parker, 1996a, 1996b;
Bromley, 1997; Renold, 1997; Fitzclarence & Hickey, 1998; Gilbert & Gilbert, 1998;
Lingard & Douglas, 1999; Martino, 1999; Skelton, 2000; Swain, 2000). Sport is a major
signifier of masculinity in many schools and provides a way of measuring a boy’s
masculine accomplishment against other boys, and also against the wider world of men.
The top sporty boys also tend to have a higher status in the cultural life of the school, and
this was particularly true at Highwoods where sporting achievement was celebrated and
honoured by the formal regime. However, despite playing a wide range of sports, it was
football that was, by far, the most valorised game amongst the boys’ own peer-groups,
and it was the boys who were the most accomplished players who were the most popular
and who held the highest status. Although it was also possible in this school to gain a

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