This studio portrait shows a Christchurch boy boxer and his coach in the early 1920s. Boxing was a popular sport for boys in the early 20th century because it was believed to foster strength and stoicism (against pain), attributes that were thought to improve boys' physical wellbeing and moral character. It fell out of favour in the late 20th century because it could also result in brain and other injuries.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Alexander Turnbull Library, Adam MacLay Collection
Reference:
1/2-185632-G
Photograph by Adam Henry Pearson Maclay
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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