Week 5 Gender and sexuality copy (3).pptx

Gender & Sexualit y CHAPTER 6 Key terms • Gender norms • Masculinities / femininities • Gender ideology & logic Overview Is sport a man’s world? Is sport a woman’s world? Segregation of sport by sex / gender Issues facing LGBTQ athletes Key terms Explanations for gender norms BIOLOGICAL DET...

Gender & Sexualit y CHAPTER 6 Key terms • Gender norms • Masculinities / femininities • Gender ideology & logic Overview Is sport a man’s world? Is sport a woman’s world? Segregation of sport by sex / gender Issues facing LGBTQ athletes Key terms Explanations for gender norms BIOLOGICAL DETERMINISM SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIONISM Social behaviour is Social behaviour is taught explained by human biology and learned Different behaviours between men and women are “natural” or “normal” Differs over time and place Range of masculinities Range of masculinities Range of masculiniti es – one person Range of femininities Range of femininitie s Western perspective of gender ideology (Coakley & Donnelly, 2009) Based on a two-category classification system  mutually exclusive categories:  categories are to be perceived in terms of difference and as “opposites” Problems with this perspective Gender logic in sport Most forms of masculinity are celebrated in sport and are superior to forms of femininity Sport is viewed as a male territory Women in sport are viewed as secondary to men in sport Heteronormativity is privileged Example: Gender logic and sport fandom (Hoeber & Sveinson, 2013) Men (not women) socialize others into sport fandom. Men are assumed to be sport fans. It is expected that men will attend games with other men. Girls (and women) want pink merchandise. Women don’t know much about sport. Women watch professional sport to look at male athletes. Reality does not always match this logic. Is sport a man’s world? Is sport a woman’s world? Is sport a man’s world? •Historically, sport was used to turn ’boys into men’ • Hegemonic masculinity – one form of masculinity • Leadership, strength, obedience, discipline, toughness • Other forms of masculinity in sport? Is sport a man’s world? •Men in sport who conform to hegemonic masculine ideals are celebrated and valued in Western society • • • • • Many opportunities to participate Higher salaries Media coverage Additional careers Leadership roles •Less awareness of men who do not conform Is sport a man’s world? Men fill most leadership roles in sport • Head coaches, officials, owners, media, presidents, boards of directors Men’s sports dominates print and tv coverage • 90%+ of coverage Privileging of men as fans • Range of clothing, knowledge Is sport a women’s world? More opportunities for female athletes now  But separation between men and women  But less media coverage (discussed previously) Small percentage of women in power positions 1908 – London – 997 athletes; 22 women (2%) 1952 – Helsinki – 4407 men; 518 women (10%) Opportuniti es for male & female athletes – Summer Olympics 1972 – Munich – 6077 men; 1070 women (17%) 1988 – Seoul – 7105 men; 2476 women (26%) 2000 – Sydney – 6435 men; 3947 women (38%) 2004 – Athens – 6215 men; 4884 women (44%) 2012 – London – 6068 men; 4835 women (44%) ◦ All countries sent at least one female athlete Olympic summer events - first time for women Marathon – 1984 Soccer, softball, triple jump – 1996 Weightlifting, pole vault, hammer throw – 2000 Wrestling – 2004 Boxing – 2008 Note: 2022 will mark the first time there are equal numbers of medal events for men and women in the Paralympics. Contributing factors to more opportunities for women in sport •Feminist movement & women’s organizations (e.g., CAAWS) (1960s & 1970s) •Fitness movement (1970s & 1980s) •Social media (2010s) Women in sport power positions Lower number of women as:  Head coaches  Administrators / managers  Officials  Facility managers  Sport media personnel  Owners, and other power positions Also: It is common to see men coach women’s teams, but few women coach men’s teams (or coed teams) at an elite level “Token” examples of women breaking the glass ceiling §Becky Hammon – NBA assistant coach §Jen Welter – NFL assistant coach §Sarah Thomas – NFL referee §Jessica Mendoza – MLB analyst §Hayley Wickenheiser – assistant director of player development (Leafs) Segregation of sport by sex / gender Events Separatio n/ distinction between men and women in sport Sport typing Rules Sex testing Also inequitable access to resources (facilities, quality coaching, promotion, funding, sponsorship, etc.) Separate events Most sports are separated by sex on the basis of biological determinism In some sports, there is no biological advantage for men (strength or size) Kane (1995) argues that sport is a continuum instead of gender binary / hierarchy Athletics Gender differenc es – Olympic events ◦ Men – decathlon; Women – heptathlon ◦ Men’s hurdles – 110 m; Women’s hurdles – 100 m ◦ 50 km race walk – men only Road cycling ◦ Distances shorter for women’s events Tennis ◦ Men – 5 set matches; women – 3 set matches Sport typing and gender logic “Suitability” of sports Suitability has shifted over time and in different places Participation in ‘inappropriate’ sports or displaying ‘different’ characteristics University of Washington’s cheerleading requirements (women) • Reinforcing traditional feminine ideals? • Sexualization? • Showcasing one’s body? Gender-based rules In many sports, the rules and regulations for men and women are different ◦ perceptions of physiological differences ◦ perceptions of femininity and / or sexuality Outcome: Reinforces the idea that female and male athletes are different and unequal Sex testing Verification of the sex of female athletes Types of sex tests Problems with sex tests Banned practice (most of the time) Issues facing LGBTQ athletes Lesbian athletes Homophobia  Assume to be lesbian or will become lesbian as an athlete  Lesbian culture  Strategy: Emphasized femininity Less stigma (than men) for women to come out as athletes Gay athletes Experience more homophobia  Hide sexuality especially in hypermasculine sports  Some experience physical violence  Male athletes who do not ‘act’ masculine are accused of being gay Very few have come out of the closet while still competing Anti-homophobia initiatives  You Can Play  Rainbow laces Transgender participation Participate in sport in the category they identify with Stockholm Consensus  Permission to participate for fully transitioned athletes Issue  Perceived advantages  Are policies to ensure opportunities to participate effective?