Beauty therapy, VET teaching and bio-power: a tale of two training packages. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McKenzie, Mary; Harreveld, Roberta; Blayney, William
• Is Part Of: International journal of training research. Volume 16:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Beauty -- VET -- training packages -- bio-power; Technical education -- Periodicals; Technical education -- Australia -- Periodicals; Vocational education -- Periodicals; Vocational education -- Australia -- Periodicals; Occupational training -- Periodicals; Occupational training -- Australia -- Periodicals; Occupational training; Technical education; Vocational education; Australia; Periodicals; 374.99405
• DOI: 10.1080/14480220.2018.1433614
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1448-0220

Abstract

Abstract: This paper explores the teaching of beauty therapy in the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. It uses the theoretical concept of bio-power to examine how the body is compliant with intimate treatments in the name of beauty. Bio-power makes visible the anatomical and biological transformation and re-formation of the human body. Bio-power constructs and is in turn constructed by the work of beauty therapy teachers in the practice of transforming the body, regulating the physical functions of the body and disciplining the choices of teachers working with training packages. Through this conceptual framework, a unit of competency is analysed to determine the association of bio-power with two training packages when teaching beauty therapy. It will show that working intimately with the human body from the inner mechanisms at the cellular level to managing the therapist/client relationship is both physically and emotionally laborious. Consequently, the two training packages that are meant to frame and conceptualise this work may not provide adequate explanations of its complexity.