Sport, femininity and feminism

Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Melbourne, 1985This thesis explores the culture of sport from a feminist perspective. It reviews the masculine nature of sport and the apparent incompatibility between female athleticism and the traditional femininity; and indicates feminists' concerns with the existing sports culture. The details of interviews with ten university sports women in an interactive setting are set out, covering both sporting and non-sporting areas. Many of the women report experiencing the conflict between their athletic involvement and the demands of traditional femininity but resolve the conflict in favour of sport in an individualistic way. Their feminist awareness and feeling of sisterhood appear to be comparatively undeveloped. Finally, some options for increasing the attractiveness of sport for girls and women are suggested, including not only easier access to the existing culture, but the development of alternatives based specifically on women's physiology and lifestyle