Graceful Athleticism or Robust Womanhood: A Literature Review of the Sporting Culture of Women in Victorian Nova Scotia, 1870 – 1914

By: Alyson Earle 200903199

The article written by Michael Smith entitled, “Graceful Athleticism or Robust Womanhood: The Sporting Culture of Women in Victorian Nova Scotia, 1870-1914,” discusses societal attitudes toward females regarding physical activity and sport in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in Nova Scotia. Several physical activity regimens were introduced toward the end of the nineteenth century as a means to promote a “healthy womanhood” in Nova Scotian girls (Smith, 1988). During this time, physical activity was regarded as a positive method in promoting health and well-being in “high strung” women in particular (Smith, 1988).  Young women were expected to participate in activities promoting elegance, grace and poise in order to maintain their true femininity; while activities promoting any sort of masculinized behavior were frowned upon (Smith, 1988).  It was during this era that attitudes towards the “pale, thin and frail” model of the ideal female shifted toward a more athletic and voluptuous female figure (Smith, 1988).

During the late nineteenth century throughout the Maritimes, sport was encouraged as an alternative to socializing at drinking establishments, as this type of behaviour was considered to be injurious to both moral and physical health (Smith, 1988).  Sport participation, on the contrary, encouraged values such as patriotism, competition, teamwork, leadership and courage, which all were thought to contribute to the health of society as a whole (Smith, 1988).  This shift towards an increase in sport and recreation participation therefore greatly benefitted society, according to its middle-class reformers (Smith, 1988).

While attitudes toward leisure activities were shifting during this era, so was the outlook toward ideals of feminine beauty (Smith, 1988). Similar to the changing attitudes in the nearby United States, both male and female Nova Scotians became increasingly disapproving of the “ideal” pale, fragile and thin female (Smith, 1988).  A curvaceous, shapely and athletic woman became the new model of the definition of femininity and beauty, coinciding with increased female participation in sport.

Although physical activity was becoming increasingly popular among women, resources and opportunities remained restricted. Women found themselves limited to calisthenics such as gymnastics and dance; as these activities were thought to promote grace, elegance, poise and an athletic and healthy form (Smith, 1988).  It was believed that participation in these sports would allow women to develop the strength to endure their future maternal responsibilities (Smith, 1988).  On the contrary, participation in vigorous or competitive sports was discouraged as it had the potential to exert a masculinizing influence, jeopardizing a woman’s femininity (Smith, 1988).

Heightened knowledge of the benefits of physical activity became increasingly widespread, promoting the physical culture movement in Nova Scotia in the late nineteenth century and consequently the development of physical education programs in schools (Smith, 1988).  At this time, it was thought that physical education and thus physical activity improved circulation, digestion and general health (Smith, 1988).  

Not only was physical activity known to improve physical health, but also mental and emotional health. A method of physical culture known as the Delsarte system, or the more commonly known, Delsartism, was introduced in 1890 and emphasized exercise as a cure for mental disorders, promoting rest and relaxation (Smith, 1988).  Delsartism combined theatrical expression and breathing and relaxation techniques with music and creative movement and was deemed more appropriate for females, as females were believed to have a unique nervous system from men, thus requiring special attention (Smith, 1988).

An early bicycle - late 19th century

Women in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were discouraged from participating in inter-collegiate sports, as these types of activities were thought to threaten a woman’s reproductive health (Smith, 1988). Bicycling, for example, was believed to contribute to physical, moral, and mental decline as well as a loss of femininity in women (Smith, 1988). Furthermore, excessive bicycling was believed to induce insanity and spinal complications. Women who were adamant about participating in bicycling were cautioned to make special adjustments such as moving the handle and seat high enough to prevent leaning forward and giving less knee action (Smith, 1988).

1900: Female bathing suit

Like bicycling, swimming in women was also controversial. While many believed that swimming in the ocean had several benefits, as it was thought to cure menstrual cramps and improve reproductive ability, many were horrified at the “indecency” of bathing suits for women (Smith, 1988). Woman’s athletics continued to maintain traditional attitudes toward the female sex. Any female who decided to partake in non-traditional “female sports” were expected to maintain proper ladylike behavior and to act in a modest and becoming manner (Smith, 1988). Reformers tried to balance the need for healthy exercise with the need for traditional female graces (Smith, 1988). However, in the early twentieth century, women became increasingly involved in golf, bowling, tennis, curling, rowing, field hockey and competitive swimming – not traditional female sports –and were realizing their athletic potential; however, concerns about modesty still prevailed. Even though the early twentieth century brought new opportunities for women in sport, concerns regarding appearance and sexuality still overpowered their athletic abilities and skill.

1910: Women playing tennis at the Waegwoltic Club in Halifax, NS .

The article included many examples of sports that women during this time participated in, which strengthened its validity. Reading about the Delsarte system, for example, provided further information on how physical exercise was used to promote rest and relaxation in women. In a world that seems to be an increasingly stressful place, it almost seems bizarre to think that people over a century ago would need relaxation techniques. Perhaps both men and women today would benefit from the Delsarte system.

1910: Swimming at the Waegwoltic Club, Northwest Arm, Halifax NS

Throughout the article, Smith consistently discussed how societal ideals for femininity influenced sport participation and opportunities for women. It was frowned upon for a woman to participate in a sport that could potentially threaten her femininity; therefore, most women enjoyed calisthenics such as gymnastics and dance. While women today participate in a much wider variety of sports, further research could investigate to what degree this has changed since the early twentieth century. It is reasonable to assume that some inequalities still exist and it would therefore be worth researching in what ways women are still disadvantaged today.

While this article provided many examples of Nova Scotian women in sport in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it would have been beneficial to include some pictorial representation of the female sporting gear that was worn. For example, in the section that discussed women in bicycling, it would have helped to see an image of the bloomers women would wear on a bicycle. Furthermore, providing an image of the female bathing costumes would have been useful. Overall, while the article provided many great examples of sports women in history participated in with detailed descriptions, it would have been even stronger had it included images.

In conclusion, this article provided a great deal of information about Nova Scotian women in sport in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It was a very informative article with numerous examples of women in sport; which strengthened its validity. It was interesting to discover that the benefits of physical activity on the mind and body were already known during this era. Furthermore, it is interesting to learn that although women have made great strides in sport participation, women continue to face barriers in sport opportunities to this day.

References:

Smith, M. (1988). Graceful athleticism or robust womanhood: the sporting culture of women in Nova Scotia, 1870-1914. Journal of Canadian Studies, 23(2), 120-133.