In this application paper, I will thoroughly examine and discuss the thesis and conclusions drawn in Michael Messner’s “Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities.” Also examined will be the research method(s) and ethical standards applied and upheld to execute his study. Lastly, I will tediously dissect Messner’s choice of theoretical perspective and determine if his chosen perspective is the most applicable. “Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities” by Michael Messner seeks to explain how participation in organized sports results in the manifestation of masculinity in males. Messner also uses feminist analyses to explain that masculinity …show more content…
Cohen, symbolic interaction “revolves around the ability of humans to see themselves through the eyes of others and to enact social roles based on others’ expectations” (p. 21). Throughout the article, “Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities,” Messner provides several examples of how participating in organized sports aids in forming one’s identity, more specifically as a man. One of the interviewees stated that he became involved in sports because, “…It was just like brushing your teeth; It’s just what you did. It’s just part of your existence” (p. 135). The interviewees’ statement implies that guys who do not participate in sports are inferior to those guys who do participate in sports, that participating in sports is the only activity that establishes a guy’s identity and fulfills his very existence on the planet. Another example that demonstrates Messner’s theoretical perspective can be drawn from the paragraph that discusses an instance where Messner attended a basketball camp held for young males. The young males played a scrimmage game while older males were observing. Messner states that there were “expressions ranging from puzzlement to thinly disguised terror on their faces as [the younger males] awaited the judgements of the [older males]” (p. 140). Messner’s observation and statement indicate that the approval and criticism of others are necessary to cultivate a guy’s identity, and sustain that identity. Last but …show more content…
In-depth interviews are one of the research methods used when qualitative research is desired over quantitative research. Also, by using in-depth interviews as his research method, Messner is able to acquire much more detailed information, which will enhance the quality of his final data, making the study more efficacious and fulfilling. But, as with any research method, in-depth interviews have their strengths and weaknesses. Most importantly, with any research method, optimal levels of representativeness, replicability, reflexivity, reactivity, and objectivity should be
Gatz, Margaret, Michael A. Messner, and Sandra Rokeach. Paradoxes of youth and sport. Albany: State University of New York, 2002.. 12-13.
Society has always had the idea that males should participate in masculine activities and females in feminine activities. These activities define the lifestyle that person would have. It was also believed that if a male was not involved in masculine activities, that male was not a man. Sports is a field that has been dominated by males in the past years, and more recently has had a lot of females take part in it. But does playing a sport define one’s masculinity? Michael Messner, the author of Boyhood, Organized Sports, and the Construction of Masculinities, discusses the effect sports has on upcoming young men of different races. The effect of being introduced to a sport at a young age allowed males of different races to gain a sense of masculinity,
This is simply leaning that occurs through observing the behavior of others. The article examines the way sports focus and define what it is to be masculine. Many interview subjects when asked why or how they first got involved in playing sports reported that it was just thing to do or even said, “I was a natural”. Let’s clarify something; there is nothing natural about throwing a ball through a hoop 36 foot away nor is there anything natural about hitting a baseball thrown at 98 miles per hour and hitting it with a 32 inch bat. Playing sports may feel “natural” to some, but you must be exposed to it first before mastering the skill. This exposure can come from an early age of observing other peer or family influences playing sports and learning their behaviors. Of course, a boy can be born with amazing hand-eye coordination, but this does not predispose him to a career of hitting baseballs any more that it predisposes him to a life as a brain surgeon. By listening to the men interviewed in the article, it became clear that their adoption of self definition of natural athlete constructs their masculinities, and observation learning from exposure to sports subconsciously influenced decisions to play
Girls are told to stay indoors and play with their dolls or bake, while boys are encouraged to go outdoors, get dirty, and be adventurous. Wade and Ferree also state “sports are squarely on the masculine side of the gender binary” (Wade and Ferree, 174). Hence, we are brought up with the understanding that playing and talking about sports is a boy’s thing, which further promotes the notion that sports are a very masculine thing. Furthermore, as playing sports is competitive and is a way to show excellence, young boys are considered as “real boys” and “real men” later on. However, when boys do not talk about or play sports, they are considered feminine or “not real men.” The same rule applies for young girls. If young girls are too into sports, they are considered to be “too masculine.” This is true for me too. When I was younger, I was told to not play too much outdoors and to behave “like a girl.” The stigma that only boys should be allowed to play sports and it is not a feminine thing needs to be erased for us to welcome a more gender-equal
Sports, in general, are a male dominated activity; every “real” male is suppose to be interested and/or involved in sports in the American society. However, it is not expected of a female to be interested in sports and there is less pressure on them to participate in physically enduring activities. These roles reflect the traditional gender roles imposed on our society that men are supposed to be stronger and dominant and females are expected to be submissive. As Michael Kimmel further analyzes these gender roles by relating that, “feminism also observes that men, as a group, are in power. Thus with the same symmetry, feminism has tended to assume that individually men must feel powerful” (106).
It goes without saying that a person's gender, racial and social origins influence their participation in sports. Particular races and genders often dominate certain sports. African Americans, for example, tend to dominate football and basketball, while Caucasians tend to dominate ice hockey. The same holds true for gender as well. Football is an entirely male dominated sport, while horseback riding, gymnastics and figure skating are much more female oriented. How and why did these divisions come about? Determining the origin of gender goes beyond the scope of this paper, however one can speculate about how gender classifications and stereotypes affect one's role in the sports arena.
Research guided by conflict theory generally falls into the following categories: 1) studies of how athletes become alienated from their own bodies; 2) studies of how sports can be used to coerce and control people; 3) studies of sports and the development of commercialism in society; 4) studies of sports and various forms of nationalism and militarism; and 5) studies of sports and racism and sexism. (Coakley, 1998) In the book, Meggyesy provided examples of each of these categories which occurred during his footba...
The root of gender based inequalities seen within sports, most specifically softball, are preconceived notions, which often stem from highly influential individuals (i.e. parent/coach/mentor) during the developmental stage of adolescents. The common perceptions exist because individuals of high authority have confined the boundaries to which gender exists. For example, the Barbie Girls versus Sea Monsters story illuminates that sex segregation and common perceptions begin to form even as little as four and five years old (Messner, 2015). Messner proposes that society should not look at these gender inequalities separate as boys and girls, but rather comprehend the environments of the children and how the children declare themselves into divided paradoxical categories (Messner, 2015). The foundation of his ideology derives from the “social organization of gender difference” being “so clearly tied to gender
After-school athletics is typically presented as a productive outlet for students to engage with one another and learn within a team environment. However, through an intersectional lens it should be taken into question whether playing sports is enjoyable or even possible without reaping the benefits of gender, heteronormative, and numerous other privileges. Reflecting on my own personal experience of playing high school basketball, I take a closer look as to how it was shaped by the many facets of intersectionality and privilege. In analyzing my experience, I will argue why sports is a constant force in reproducing gender binaries and oftentimes baneful to those who do not conform to heteronormativity.
Varsity sports play one of the largest roles in the modern school system. They can one of the most influential parts of a youngling’s experience. However, with that comes great challenges and sociological issues embedded into the sports that show conflict and adversity in certain times. After reviewing some of these issues the true structure of varsity sports may be identified, and possibly reviewed.
Coakley (2009) starts off the chapter by introducing how participation in organized sports came about and how gender roles played a major role early on. He describes how most programs were for young boys with the hope that being involved would groom them to become productive in the economy. Girls were usually disregarded and ended up sitting in the stands watching their sibling’s ga...
Krane, V. (2001). We can be athletic and feminine, but do we want to? Challenging hegemonic femininity in women's sport. Quest, 53,115-133.
Women’s participation in sport is at an all-time high and has almost become equal to men’s, however. Sports media does not fail to show this equality and skews the way we look at these athletes. Through the disciplines of sociology and gender studies, it can be seen that despite the many gains of women in sports since the enactment of Title IX, “traditional” notions of masculinity and femininity still dominate media coverage of males and females in sports, which is observed in Olympic programming and sports news broadcasts. Sociology is a growing discipline and is an important factor in the understanding of different parts of society. Sociology is “a social science that studies human societies, their interactions, and the processes that preserve and change them” (Faris and Form P1).
The concept of hegemonic masculinity, as described by R. W. Connell, is becoming more applicable than ever, namely in the world of sport. This notion was developed nearly twenty-five years ago, yet remains highly influential in the social construction of gender roles. In current Western societies, there is an automatic assumption that women involved in sports are all lesbians, and men posses more masculine traits than one who is not involved in sports. This double standard emphasizes the inequalities within the athletic community. The emphasis on masculinity brings forth different consequences for men and women, where men are regarded as strong and powerful, while women are intrinsically seen as more masculine (Baks & Malecek,
Whether its baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, or tennis, sports is seen all over the world as a representation of one’s pride for their city, country, and even continent. Sports is something that is valued world-wide which has the ability to bring communities together and create different meanings, beliefs and practices between individuals. Although many people may perceive sports to have a significant meaning within our lives, it can also have the ability to separate people through gender inequalities which can also be represented negatively throughout the media. This essay will attempt to prove how gender is constructed in the sports culture while focusing on female athletes and their acceptance in today’s society.