Marginalization, Empowerment and Multiple Performances: An Examination of Highly Identified, Displaced Female Sport Fans

Although research shows women attend and consume sport events and products (Fink, Trail, & Anderson, 2002; James & Ridinger, 2002; Robinson & Trail, 2005), they continue to be marginalized as inauthentic sport fans because they are seen as exhibiting non-traditional characteristics and behaviours (Pope, 2011; Pope & Williams, 2011). They are assumed to lack knowledge about the sport and teams, and to attend sport events only to socialize (Crawford & Gosling, 2004; Dietz-Uhler, Harrick, End, & Jacquemotte, 2000; Gosling, 2007). Yet, being a sport fan is important for some women and plays a role in the construction of their identity (Gosling, 2007). Gosling added: “what remains missing from research is the role that sport fan culture can pay in women’s every day lives and in particular its significance in challenging gender role and empowering women” (p. 260). This study looked to further our knowledge about highly identified, displaced female sport fans by conducting qualitative research about their experiences. This research project aimed to determine if female fans feel marginalized and excluded or if they have feelings of empowerment. Additionally, by examining multiple facets of their fanship (i.e., gender, identification and displacement), this study also examined how these performances interact and impact their experiences. Participants included seven highly identified, displaced female sport fans of professional teams (NFL, MLB and NHL). They completed two to three semistructured individual interviews in which they were asked questions regarding their experiences and the context in which they occurred, how the multiple performances of gender, fan identification and displacement may interact, and the relation of gender and fanship with respect to empowerment or marginalization. The data was digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. The findings demonstrated that the participants experienced both marginalization and empowerment. Furthermore, it was found that these women took on multiple performances (i.e., gender, fan identification and displacement) in their fanship.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology and Health Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Sveinson, Katherine Larson

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hoeber, Larena

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Liechty, Toni
• Riemer, Harold

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://doi.org/10.82465/3760

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uregina.scholaris.ca:10294/5835