'Why Top Female Athletes Stay in Male-Dominated Sports to an Elite Level\r'

' thieve\r\nThis analyze is foc rehearsed on wherefore pop divulgeperform feminine suspensors enlistment in young-begetting(prenominal)-dominated variances to an elite separate aim and involves young-bearing(prenominal) athletes from different countries. Semi-structured interviews leave behind be carried out on 15 participants. The field of operation is characteristic everyy instructive and soft, and involves a four-year timeframe.\r\n1. Background\r\nSport is an institution that continues to create, reinforce, and concur virile hegemony. However, some of its aspects whitethorn mistakablely be seen as a product of collective effort. gender diversity in lark abouts ar often pose in subtle, multi-level and ignored structures and behaviours embodied in playfulness organisations. Hence, there is a need for continued cash in angiotensin converting enzymes chips on the matter (Fink 2008). The alliance of young-bearing(prenominal) athletes in male-dominated spo rts give be explicateed by male hegemonic c erstwhilepts as easily as cultural and structural innovations.1.1 What prompted the engage handst in the topicWhat prompted the interest in the topic was the police detective’s own exposure in womanish sports where she was able to associate with elite pi evenate athletes of assorted ages from different countries, including those under Islamic rule and the Moslem region, such(prenominal) as Iran, Morocco, and Turkey. She has had get toed closely with feminine competitors in over 50 members of the International Federation of Muaythai unpaid (IFMA), and hence considers the topic a realisable one. Since the exploreer is into sports herself and associates with the credibly respondents of the resume, she plays the topic both interesting and challenging.1.2 Relevance to antecedent inquiryThe relevance of the topic to previous enquiry is that it serves as a avowing material to what has already been claimed of the aff aire of female athletes in male-dominated sports. Previous research has indicated the usual role of cultural and structural systems that produce and honk these sports as an exclusive area of male athletes (e.g. Anderson 2008; Carty 2005). The rescue hear confirms these notions, and likewise looks into patterns of possibilities whereby female athletes tail assembly be generally accepted and recognised inwardly these once male-stereotyped sports.1.3 Contributions to the Research and the FieldThe study’s contribution to research is determine in its investigation of purification, and somehow, of gender issues, in the exponentiation of female athletes in male-dominated sports. Its contribution to the theater of operations of force is its introduction of certain theoretic ideas that can explain wherefore female athletes continue to delve into male-dominated sports and an analytical account statement of their intent to stay or strickle out of the system.1.4 Research Aims and ObjectivesThis study aims to ascertain why top female athletes stay in male-dominated sports to an elite level; the hurdles they face and how they overcome these hurdles. It also aims to draw out the sympatheticities in challenges faced by these elite athletes and to see if such challenges ar similar across cultures and religions. The study purports to use this understanding to abet support women to stay in a ad hoc sport once they are already combat-ready.\r\nThe objectives of the research are as follows:\r\nTo review the existing books on the subject of Sports Sociology in proportion to women’s sports participation; To conduct interviews and come offs to elite female athletes from conglomerate countries; To find out gaps in k straightwayledge within the field; and To provide recommendations for future research. 2. Literature refreshen\r\nThis part of the research intent identifies a figure of whole kit and studies related to the topic cosmos investiga ted. It aims to pre execute the suppositious framework for the study and provide deduction to the topic.2.1 Trends in the Literature Relating to the Research TopicIn their work, Krane, Choi, and Baird et al. (2004) stated that female athletes live in two cultures: One that is characteristically mannish; and the other †the larger companionable culture †which celebrates femininity. The study was linked to feminist cultural studies and aimed to reconcile how female athletes negotiate femininity-based social expectations with athleticism. It involved 21 female athletes who served as participants in focus group discussions. Three themes comprised the data analytic thinking, specifically the ‘influence of somaticity, femininity, and athlete as other.’ The data revealed that universe athletic is in contrast to existence feminine and that the participants themselves felt being marginalised as athletes and expressed that others perceive them as being ‘ different’ from typical women. Despite these, they were proud of their physical strength and developed bodies and respected themselves as being empowered, which can be generalised beyond the context of sports (Krane et al. 2004).\r\nThe use of focus group discussions in the study aimed at encouraging self-disclosure amongst female athletes with similar experiences and reducing the fretfulness that might be felt in idiosyncratic interviews. The authors also pinpointed the fact that focus groups are curiously effective in feminist research (Krane, et al. 2004).\r\n gibe to Carty (2005), sport has been a social aspect that has traditionally prevented women from act. Recent policy developments and broadening public support enabled girls and women to inscribe dramatically in sports that had been typically express totally to men. female athletes had come out from those sports that had been stereotypically designated only to them, such as tennis and gymnastics, and can now play male-dominated sports such as hockey, football, rugby, and so on. Of suitable significance is the revealing of maleness constriction and the concept of gender differences. Hence, Carty lookd social changes accomp some(prenominal)ing the broadening popularity of women in sports and some opposing messages in advertisements initiated by these changes. The qualitative method is employ in the study to explore all the issues covered by the aims and objectives, which were tackled through with(predicate) semi-structured interviews. It may be inferred that Carty’s avouchment on the constraints shipd against women in regard to participating in male-stereotyped sports is similar to the notion of Krane et al. (2004), specifically the marginalisation of female athletes and their being perceive as different from normal women. thither is therefore congruence betwixt the two authors in reference to their view of the situation of female athletes in male-dominated sports.\r\nOn the other hand, Pringle (2005) underscore that issues linked to female sport and exercise can be examined via Foucauldian theories. However, the Gramscian conjecture, which is utilise to examine the concept of masculine hegemony, remains dominant. The denomination made a comparison and contrast of the theoretical tools branching from Foucault and Gramsci’s writings in relation to investigating sport and masculinities. It was indicated that masculine hegemony does not plainly point to a prevailing concept of masculinity but also to specific understandings of power that may be problematic to some. The discussion is useful to the study as it foc employ on the concept of masculine hegemony that can address the prevailing male mandate in sports, as rise up as male sports in general, which had once been (and continuous to be) considered an exclusive field for male athletes. It is important to note that Pringle’s assertion provides the groundwork for the situation of female athletes, as explored by the concept of masculine hegemony that explains women’s marginalisation, pinpointed earlier by Carty (2005) and Krane et al. (2004).\r\nPringle’s concept of masculine hegemony was similarly depict by Whisenant, Pedersen, and Obenour (2002) who cited the end of the Association of Intercollegiate athletics for Women (AIAW) as the cause for sport administrators to deal with reestablishing their place as athletic directors. The study aimed at assessing the supremacy ratio of these directors, focusing primarily on gender. The initial results validated the expected findings that masculine hegemony is a well-established concept within inter-collegiate athletics. This is note-worthy in the topic’s exploration of the hurdles faced by female athletes in male-dominated sports.\r\nOn the other hand, Vincent, Imwold, and Masemann et al. (2002) made an investigation of female athletes’ receipt of trusty coverage in â€Å"womenâ€⠄¢s games.” The study made a comparison of half-dozen selected newspapers from Canada, Great Britain, and the coupled States and how they dealt with male and female athletes during the 1996 centenary Olympic Games. The qualitative method and content analysis were used for the comparison of all articles and photographs of athletes on all newspapers involved. Albeit there were differences found, the results generally demonstrated an equitable number of coverage for both male and female athletes participating in the games. The study confirmed the idea that female athletes receive increased newspaper coverage when they participate in major competitions.\r\nHowever, analysing critically Vincent et al.’s work against those of Pringle (2005), Krane et al. (2004), and Carty (2005), one may posit that the former tackled a rather neutral presentation of female athletes tete-a-tete male athletes, as demonstrated by the equitable newspaper coverage on them. Vincent et al. looke d into the ‘outward human body’ of the male-female dichotomous existence in sports, as against the inner focus made by Pringle (2005), Krane et al. (2004), and Carty (2005).2.1.1 The Role of market-gardening in SportsIn their study, Elling and Knoppers (2005) used a social-critical perspective to break apart symbolic sport inclusion/exclusion in relation to gender and ethnicity amongst adolescents. The findings suggested that dominant normative gendered images still influence young people’s preferences in sport participation. Sport can function as an integrating agent as well as a differentiating and discriminating tool amongst the youth. With regard to gender, sport participation is less predictable because of such good deal as ethnicity interactions. Albeit ethnic minority females had the least participation in sport, a relatively higher hold dear is placed on traditional masculine sports such as karate and soccer. Additionally, the potential circumstance of being designate as ‘sissy’ serves as a mightily mechanism to exclude oneself from participating in formal sports for girls. However, stereotypical images are continually challenged as well (Elling and Knoppers 2005).\r\nViewing the earlier notions of gender-based explanations of the uneven perception between male and female athletes (e.g. Pringle 2005; Krane et al. 2004, and Carty 2005), Elling and Knoppers apparently provided a deeper explanation of the reason for such disparity.\r\nOn the other hand, Pelak (2005) emphasised on how South African female football players negotiate ideological constrictions in participating in the stereotypically masculine sport. The author highlighted the micro-level experiences of situating athletes within social structures at macro level, such as apartheid. The study used a multi-method approach, including interviews, watch over, observations, and documentary data. Various feminist sport frameworks and theoretical insights of B lack feminists instituted to the analysis. The findings revealed an ongoing creative opposition amongst female soccer athletes against exclusionary practices in the sport.\r\nPelak evidently upheld the findings of Elling and Knoppers (2005) with regard to symbolic sport inclusion/exclusion, as exemplified by social structures that serve as constraints to female participation in male-dominated sports.\r\nMeanwhile, the study of Anderson (2008) explored the cultural and structural elements that contribute to the breeding of anti-feminine perspectives amongst men in team sports. The authors initially led the readers to the view that men’s detachment into a homosocial environment puts a limit to their social contact with women and promotes a hostile masculinity that induces the proliferation of Orthodox views about women. However, the study also suggested that when these same men participate in a gender-incorporating cheerleading sport competition, they tend to reinvent their perspectives toward women. The author used a swerve of theoretical concepts and linked them to grounded observations and interviews, upon which a theoretical forge was established. He specifically used a socio-feminist theory of masculinity that holds gender as being hypothecate by an intricate interaction of â€Å"organisational culture, institutional power, and singular agency.” The study involved a essay of 68 male cheerleaders who identified themselves as heterosexual and who used to play football. The findings suggested that the socially negative outcomes affixed to male sport athletes might potentially reduce through gender-incorporating sports (Anderson 2008). This study is relevant to the topic under study as it explains the male athlete’s propensities when participating in male and female stereotypical games, thereby contributing to its query on why women stay in male-dominated sports.2.2 Limitations and/or Gaps in the LiteratureThe existing literary pro ductions on the topic is observed to include works that are not very recent, which hence suggests a need for updated findings. There are not many academic studies delving into the issue of culture as a prevailing factor for certain sports to be comprehend as typically male; and most of which are discussed using gender-based criteria.\r\nTheoretical Framework\r\nBelow is the theoretical framework of the study based on the literary works:\r\n \r\nFigure 1: Theoretical Framework\r\n3. Research Methodology3.1 Research ParadigmThe deliverive and positivist ranges are use in this research. The interpretive paradigm states that social actors start meanings about their interaction in the world. Social realness is hence interpreted as an attempt to interpret the world, thereby connoting a subscription to realist ontology (Scott and Morrison 2005). The use of interpretive paradigm is justified in this study as it attempts to profit interview data that are grounded on ascertaining co mprehend realities surrounding female athletes, as well as the meanings they append to these realities. The positivist approach, on the other hand, relies on the methods of the natural science (Lee 1991) and is seen in the study’s use of survey to assist certain inferences suggested by interview data.3.2 Research Design and MethodThis study is characteristically mixed methods (combination of qualitative and quantitative methods) in its research design. Qualitative methods hold that findings about human interaction (e.g. female athletes) can be understood break away and more systematically when studied from the inside out rather than the opposite (Monsen and Horn 2008). Quantitative methods, on the other hand, maintain that phenomena can be explained by collecting numerical data (for this study is the survey) that are analysed through statistical methods (Mujis 2011).3.3 ParticipantsThe research participants for both interviews and the survey are 13-35 year-old female athlete s from different countries with whom the researcher has haunt association, including those under Islamic rule and Muslim religion, such as Iran, Morocco, and Turkey. The sample size for the interview is 15, which is considered competent to generate findings. For the survey, the sample size is 35.3.4 info CollectionPrimary and unessential data shall be collected. Primary data shall be generated from semi-structured interviews and the survey whilst secondary data shall support the primary election data and shall be obtained from books and academic journals. An interview agenda and a survey questionnaire will be constructed.3.5 Data Analysis and DiscussionOnce the information has been established, data analysis will take place using the thematic analysis, which intends to find patterns/themes/meanings from a range of data sets (Hamdan 2009). The discussion will be towards addressing the research questions and will be O.K. by the literature.3.6 gutlessnesses and LimitationThe stu dy finds no weakness in its methodology. One limitation that can be identified is in terms of using interviews for data gathering, which is perceived to lack generalisability because of a relatively small sample (Ford 2012). This is addressed by using a larger sample (15 participants) (e.g. Waltz, Krumperman, and Zigmont 2011) and triangulation through the survey.3.7 Ethical Considerations first-class honours degree amongst the ethical considerations that the study takes note of is the anonymity of the target participants, as well as the confidentiality of data to be collected. It is the researcher’s responsibility to ensure that participants provide informed agree prior to their participation and that they have the right to line their participation at any point, without incurring any liability. The data collection shall take place opposite number having informed the participants of the general purpose of the study and why their participation is being sought. Moreover, the data will be stored in a database using passwords that only the researcher knows, whilst the survey questionnaires will be put to tutelage and disposed of upon the total completion of the research in order not to be accessed by anyone. The proposal shall require approval from an ethics committee.3.8 Significance of the ResearchThis study is significant in a number of ways, one of which is its contribution to the existing literature on female participation in what has been generally considered as male-dominated sport. another(prenominal) is its confirmation of the prevailing role of culture and gendered images in such perception, as well as the continuing struggle of female athletes to situate themselves in the realm of sports, thereby adding to the existing knowledge on the subject.3.9 TimelineThe research timeline starts on February 3, 2014 and ends on February 16, 2018. The first part of the survey will be done in may 2014. The various aspects of the research are shown in the Gantt graph below:\r\nFigure 2: Gantt chart showing the research timeline\r\n\r\nReferences\r\nAnderson, E. (2008) ‘I Used to Think Women Were Weak’: Orthodox Masculinity, Gender Segregation, and Sport. Sociological Forum, 23 (2), 257-280.\r\nCarty, V. (2005) textual Portrayals of Female Athletes: Liberation or Nuanced Forms of PatriarchyFrontiers: A diary of Women Studies, 26 (2), 132-172.\r\nElling, A. and Knoppers, A. (2005) Sport, Gender and Ethnicity: Practices of Symbolic Inclusion/Exclusion. daybook of Youth and Adolescence, 34 (3), 257-268.\r\nFink, J. S. (2008) Gender and Sex vicissitude in Sport Organizations: Concluding Comments. Sex Roles, 58 (1-2), 146-147.\r\nFord, N. (2012) The Essential Guide to Using the Web Research. First Edition. London: Sage Publications Ltd.\r\nHamdan, A. (2009) Muslim Women Speak: A Tapestry of Lives and Dreams. Toronto: Women’s Press.\r\nKrane, V., Choi, P. Y. L., Baird, S. M., Aimar, C. M., and Kauer, K. J. (2004) Liv ing the Paradox: Female Athletes Negotiate Femininity and Muscularity. Sex Roles, 50 (5/6), 315-329.\r\nLee, A. S. (1991) incorporate Positivist and Interpretive Approaches to Organizational Research. Organization Science, 2 (4), 342-365.\r\nMonsen, E. R. and Horn, L. V. (2008) Research: Successful Approaches. Third Edition. US: American Dietetic Association.\r\nMujis, D. (2011) Doing Quantitative Research in learning with SPSS. Second Edition. London: SAGE Publications.\r\nPelak, C. F. (2005) Negotiating Gender/ execute/Class Constraints in the New South Africa: A Case Study of Women’s Soccer. International brushup for the Sociology of Sport, 40(1), 53-70.\r\nPringle, R. (2005) Masculinities, Sport, and Power: A Critical Comparison of Gramscian and Foucauldian inspired Theoretical Tools. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 29 (3), 256-278.\r\nScott, D. and Morrison, M. (2005) Key Ideas in Educational Research. NY: Continuum International print Group.\r\nVincent, J., Imwo ld, C., Masemann, V., and Johnson, J. T. (2002) A Comparison of Selected ‘Serious’ and â€Å"Popular’ British, Canadian, and United States Newspaper Coverage of Female and Male Athletes Competing in the Centennial Olympic Games: Did Female Athletes receive just Coverage in the â€Å"Games of the Women”International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 37 (3-4), 319-335.\r\nWaltz, B. J., Krumperman, K. M., and Zigmont, J. (2011) Foundations of EMS Systems. Mason, OH: Delmar Cengage Learning.\r\nWhisenant, W. A., Pedersen, P. M., and Obenour, B. L. (2002) Success and Gender: Determining the Rate of forward motion for Intercollegiate Athletic Directors. Sex Roles, 47 (9-10), 485-491.\r\n'