“I’m a Poler, and Proud of It”: South Korean Women’s Managed Experiences in a Stigmatized Serious Leisure Activity

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of South Korean women “doing serious leisure” in what is widely known as a stigmatized activity, pole dance. It seeks to understand the experiences of South Korean women participating in pole dance and to investigate the strategies that are used to cope with the stigma that is experienced during participation. A qualitative research method was applied with an “insider” approach to collecting data. Data were collected through participation observations and in-depth interviews. The findings suggest that South Korean pole participants construct unstigmatized identities through their engagement in pole with its social stereotypes and stigma. Participants’ identities have been firmly embedded as “pole dancers”, “pole athletes”, or “polers”, which they do not feel the need to elucidate to those who are not active members. Their identities are surrounded and intertwined with their rationalized reason for participating in pole dance as serious leisure, along with their individual dedication which manifests their commitment by entering competitions and upgrading their pole skills. Participants and the pole dance community create a social atmosphere where their participation is not taken with stigma but rather with serious dedication to form their own interpretation of pole dance.

“Before I am biologically a male, I am me”: Exploring gender identity of South Korean male exotic polers

“…Thus, the participation of males in pole is inferior compared to the rate of female participants, and there are persistent challenges to achieve the intersections of dance and sport. Interestingly, in Korea, strip culture or gentlemen’s clubs are non-existent, which allowed pole dance to be introduced as a physical activity (Kim and Kwon, 2019). Nonetheless, the participants in this study engaged in pole despite societal stereotypes and neglected other men partaking in female-appropriate activities within Korea.…”

“…In the 21st century, pole dance has spread from a stigmatized terrain to an athletic activity (Donaghue et al, 2011; Holland, 2010). This has highlighted how pole has encouraged female empowerment (Griffiths, 2015; Whitehead and Kurz, 2009), positive body image (Dimler et al, 2017; Pellizzer et al, 2016) as well as stereotypes and stigma management during participation (Gómez-Ramírez, 2007; Kim and Kwon, 2019). With a growth in participation, in 2016, the International Pole Sport Federation (IPSF) submitted an application to the International Olympic Committee for the inclusion of pole sport as an official event.…”

“…For example, if a poler is performing in bare feet, then he/she is known as a “pole artist” or “pole athlete”, while those wearing heels are seen as “exotic pole dancers” or “exotic pole athletes”. Overall, it is indicated from the pole community that they see themselves as “polers”, which umbrellas all pole categories (Kim and Kwon, 2019).…”

Effects of Pole Dance on Mental Wellbeing and the Sexual Self-concept—A Pilot Randomized-controlled Trial

“…One example of such new dances is pole dance (also referred to as pole tness, pole sport, dirty (formerly exotic) pole dance, and pole [16]. While often being associated with exotic dance and sexually oriented activities, pole dance has become increasingly popular over the past decade, has paved its way into the recreational sector, and has let a variety of pole dancing classes emerge in sport studio offers [17][18][19]. It combines power exercises with sensual movements, which is why it is suggested to have positive effects on several psychological outcomes [20].…”

“…It combines power exercises with sensual movements, which is why it is suggested to have positive effects on several psychological outcomes [20]. One unique characteristic that distinguishes pole dance from other sports is the empowering and sexually liberating notion, as the increasing de-stigmatization of pole dancing challenges societal norms and constructions of female sexuality [17,19,21,22]. Previous research suggested that pole dancing is not only associated with mental wellbeing, but also with variables of potential relevance for one`s sexual self-concept and sexual health respectively [18], thereby facilitating the embracement of sexuality [23].…”