“ELEGANT FEMALE SILHOUETTES AND HARMONIOUS MALE FORMS”: INITIAL HISTORICAL APPROACHES ABOUT WOMEN AND PHYSICAL CULTURE IN MONTEVIDEO

“ELEGANTES SILHUETAS FEMININAS E HARMONIOSAS FORMAS VARONIS”: PRIMEIRAS APROXIMAÇÕES HISTÓRICAS SOBRE MULHERES E CULTURA FÍSICA EM MONTEVIDÉU

Abstract:

In the early 20^th century, Uruguay was undergoing important social changes. The country was apparently open to modernizing reforms, in a process of increasing urbanization, secularization and nationalization, especially in the Montevideo area. In this context, a series of policies and interventions focusing on the bodies of the population took place and saw physical exercise as an important element to strengthen those bodies and maintain health. This article is an initial approach to relations between women and physical culture in Uruguay, examining which practices were prescribed and/or forbidden to them in early 20^th century. Through an analysis of regular and sports magazines published in the Montevideo area, we found the establishment of an ideal of woman - white, healthy, young and heterosexual - based especially on practices such as tennis and swimming.

Keywords:
History; Sports; Women; Uruguay