Corporality as a marker of maturity: cultural and sociological analysis of the narratives of young people

Abstract

The article provides results of a study concerning how the teenagers treat their bodies during the transition to adulthood seen as a testing period. At this stage the body is a test field. Teenagers try to change their body: they start doing sports, drinking alcohol, smoking et cet. Their body is an experimental ground; moreover, the body is rapidly changing and needs to be explored. At the same time, the society is change-sensitive especially when it comes to deviations. Cultural sociology of the body helps analyzing body practices during the transition to adulthood. New implications shaping actions, strategies and choices may be found through studying body practices.