Challenging the Female /Athlete Paradox: Gender Performances of Elite Women Athletes

Women athletes have made significant gains in sport opportunities and resources. The influx of girls and women into the sport environment has impacted the culture of sport, and thus it is no longer unusual to see girls and women competing. An emerging acceptance of women athletes has challenged male supremacy in sport. Despite some groundbreaking changes, traditional notions of appropriate gender behavior may continue to constrain women athletes based upon socially consensual expectations of appearance and behavior. This dissertation examines social meanings and realities constructed by present-day college women athletes competing in softball and gymnastics. Based on an interpretive framework, this research focuses on contemporary gender expectations and the image construction undertaken by elite athletes inside and outside of the sport context. Constraints in sport associated with appropriate gender displays are addressed, as are differential gender performances of women athletes related to group membership, environment and audience.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Ross, Sally Rea

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shinew, Kimberly J.

• Sociology, General

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3182368

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/86008