Feminist Considerations for Justice in Sport: A Conceptual and Philosophic Analysis of Reform
Open Access
- Author:
- English, Colleen
- Graduate Program:
- Kinesiology
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- July 08, 2015
- Committee Members:
- Robert Scott Kretchmar, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Mark Dyreson, Committee Member
Jessica Lynn Schultz, Committee Member
Linda L Caldwell, Committee Member - Keywords:
- sport philosophy
feminist philosophy
sport reform - Abstract:
- Today’s college sportsworld faces numerous charges of corruption ranging from educational dishonesty to blatant cheating. In this dissertation, I argue that the cause of these problems originates with hegemonic masculinity and the over-emphasis on winning present in intercollegiate athletics. This has been harmful for both women and men. Female and male athletes have been marginalized and alienated because they did not meet the standards enforced by an athletic realm that celebrates achievements associated with a specific form of masculinity. To tackle these issues, in this dissertation, I analyze the potential for sport reform through a feminist lens, one that recognizes the importance combating hypercompetitive attitudes and antecedent hegemonic masculinity. To do this, I look at philosophic and conceptual possibilities for reform. I argue that reformation can become a reality if we think about competition differently and modify behavior accordingly. Chapter 1 puts forth a definition of hegemonic masculinity and its place in sport. Chapter 2 historically contextualizes women’s sport reform, providing a brief overview of women’s physical education and intercollegiate athletics, with particular emphasis on efforts toward change. In Chapter 3, I review the literature highlighting potential sites for reform already identified by a number of sport philosophers. Chapter 4 justifies the need for reform in intercollegiate sport, drawing from research focused on the problems with college athletics and feminist ideals of sport. In Chapter 5, I develop and describe gender-neutral reforms for sport, that is, changes that should improve the sporting experience regardless of gender. This dissertation proposes a conceptual and philosophic analysis of sport reform that is meant to challenge the current hegemonic model of sport, which thrives on exclusive forms of masculinity, and helps to create an interpretation of competition that is better for women and men.