Managing Bodies in Contemporary Media: University Students Under Discussion

Abstract

This paper examines how university subjects’ bodies are seen in contemporary media. We take into consideration a research work analysing the ‘Caderno Vestibular/ZH’, a supplement Zero Hora newspaper targets to subjects entering university. In theoretical terms, the research is close to French philosopher Michel Foucault’s studies, particularly those works about governmentality. In analytical terms, we point out that, under the American neoliberalism, university subjects are led to manage their bodies to become more apt to success in their personal and professional lives, so that this management works closer to control and regulation rather than to discipline. Thus we point out that the construction of a successful university student includes managing his/her body, a body that is regulated and controlled to compete freely and individually in the neoliberal labour market.