Identities in disarray: a field study on physical education training

Abstract

This paper aims at discussing Physical Education (PE) professional identities. Through semi-structured interviews, the study attempts to verify the most significant influences on professional identies in this field of knowledge, and how they are constructed during the bachelor’s degree studies. The following issues are discussed: What aspects characterize the PE teacher work? Which ones are more evident? Theoretically, the study draws on authors associated with Cultural Studies and with contemporary sociology. As to PE, it draws on Valter Bracht’s critical theorizing. In relation to methodological procedures, teachers of training courses in PE were interviewed, so that their professional histories, activities and practices, as well as the way they understand and conceive their profession could be identified. The procedures involved bibliographical research and interviews with seven (07) teachers of undergraduate courses in PE of different private institutions - including their coordinators. As a result of the study, it is possible to mention some relevant points: (1) a taste for competitive sports, in the teacher’s youth time, seems to have exerted great influence on professional identity, (2) professionals, in general, do not share a consensus about their professional identity and, (3) professionals differ significantly in relation to the attributes of a good PE teacher.

Key words: Identity; Modernity; Physical Education profession