Naslov
Women in a “Masculine” Sport: The Case of Wrestling

Autori
Bartoluci, Sunčica ; Antunovic, Dunja ; Doupona, Mojca

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Why does sociology matter? The role of sport sociology in interdisciplinary research / - Tübingen, 2022, 165-165

Skup
EASS & ISSA World Congress of Sociology of Sport

Mjesto i datum
Tübingen, Njemačka, 07.06.2022. - 10.06.2022

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
gender stereotypes ; wrestling ; "masculine" sport

Sažetak
Gender stereotypes about sportswomen lead to gender inequalities and discrimination, which can result in a decline of women’s participation in sport, especially in sports associated with masculinity. Combat sports, such wrestling, have a long tradition and association with hegemonic masculinity, such as aggression, domination, and violence. The gendered associations of sport disciplines, however, may vary depending on the socio-historical context, whereby women’s participation is structured both by broader gender norms and by the status of the sport in a particular national context. In Croatia, wrestling is considered a masculine sport and women’s opportunities are limited. As such, women’s entry into wrestling disrupts traditional gender norms and could be a step towards equality in sport. The purpose of this research is to analyze constructions of sex and gender from the perspective of women wrestlers in Croatia. The study draws on 10 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with active and former elite women wrestlers. The findings indicate that women wrestlers face numerous gender inequalities, discrimination, and stereotypes that are enacted on the interpersonal, organizational, and societal levels. Despite the increasing support from their families and friends, women wrestlers have inadequate working conditions and insufficient resources from sport institutions. Even so, the women did not perceive wrestling to be a predominantly masculine sport and, in some cases, critically analyzed the sex-segregated structure of the sport. The paper discusses the implications for gender constructions of wrestling and for sport priorities in Croatia.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Sociologija

POVEZANOST RADA