Hegemonic Masculinity In Sports

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Hegemonic masculinity is constantly trying to be proved throughout sports, especially with more and more female athletes participating. This gender ideology can be seen through various types of injuries, an example being psychosocial. Failure, homophobia and rejection are three forms of psychosocial injuries that show a link to hegemonic masculinity. This linkage can be extremely harmful to the male’s participation within sports and to his health. Having a lack of confidence is one’s own abilities can impede his or her chances of success. For males, trying to prove their masculinity is an every day feat, with constant thoughts of failure flooding their minds. The world of sports has always been seen as “male territory” (Parker, M. & White, P., 2007, pg. 5), so it is with no surprise that males feel threatened by having females becoming more present in the sports. When a female gets a job within sports over a male, he would most likely feel less successful and ultimately like a failure. This can hinder the male’s view on himself and his masculinity, making him feel as though he is not good enough. When one feels this way, it can cause a diminishment in his participation in activities and other aspects of his life. …show more content…

Nowadays, sports teams are becoming more and more involved with hazing, “requiring new or potential members to demonstrate their commitment to the group” (Bryshun, Jamie & Young, Kevin, 2007, pg. 302). There are times when this demonstration of commitment is at the risk of one’s own health and safety, not wanting to be rejected. One may become seriously hurt through ingestion of unsafe fluids, partaking in illegal activities or other endeavours, simply due to trying to prove his manhood and in fear of being

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