Le classement par corps. Les écarts au corps scolaire comme indice de "déviance" scolaire

A Body-based Classification. The Anomalous Postures at School as an Indication of « Deviance » Based upon research concerning school difficulties of the middle school pupils coming from the lower working class, this paper shows that the body, through postures which fail to comply with school norms, represents an institutional indication for « school deviance » and maladjustment. Since it gives shape to a « school abnormality », the pupils’ body not only points out the existence of more serious « disorders », but is also interpreted as the symptom of « inner disorders » revealing a « childhood in danger ». This perception of unruly, unteachable bodies lead to the institutional identification and categorization of certain postures as deviant postures. The results of this classification are not restricted to the school field. They are extended to the educational and judicial level. Thus the school classification of the middle school pupils postures contributes to the prevention of what is thought as a risk of subsequent disorders at school or outside