About
Dr. Subaita Zubair works as a Visiting Assistant Professor and has almost six years of teaching experience in anthropology, psychology, and sociology. She has earned both a Ph.D. and an M.Phil. in Anthropology, along with an M.Sc. in Psychology, all from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Her research interests involve body image and beauty, men and masculinity, gender and sexuality, religion and body, as well as fitness and gym culture. She is currently interested in pursuing postdoctoral research and other opportunities in international academic spheres. With the ambition of becoming an exemplary academic, her goal is to accumulate knowledge and impart it with passion and dedication.
Current Work
Dr. Subaita has undertaken a preliminary study in Pakistan, focusing on the examination of "spornosexual" Muslim men, their objectified and sexualized bodies, the construction of masculinity, and how these aspects are shaped by individual, sociocultural, and religious rends. The primary focus was on studying the individuals embodying the 'spornosexual' archetype—a term coined by British journalist Mark Simpson, encapsulating the fusion of sport, pornography, and sexuality, representing a hypersexualized form of masculinity.
Findings from the research underscore that the pleasure derived from sexualization prevails and spornosexuals willingly partake in body objectification within a societal context that promotes hegemonic masculinity and supports gender and modesty. The recognition and adoption of the spornosexual identity among these men challenge traditional norms associated with masculinity, body image, and self-love in the Pakistani context. Ultimately, spornosexual men navigate a delicate balance between the desire for attention and societal acceptance, considering the religious and cultural norms that govern their lives.
The pilot study was undertaken to lay the groundwork for an intended postdoctoral investigation and the completed article is expected to be submitted to the journal soon.
Research Area Keyword(s)
Body image, Self-Objectification, Sexualization, Spornosexuality, masculinity, Body Image & Beauty, Religion & Body, gender