As the behavior of women athletes is often interpreted to violate gender norms, women athletes are frequently devalued and stigmatized. The present study examines the manner in which such devaluation and stigmatization impact on women athletes and how these athletes manage the lesbian label attached to their sport participation. Indepth telephone interviews were conducted with 24 intercollegiate athletes from three Division I universities. Processes underlying athletes' responses parallel Becker's construction of the "falsely accused deviant" and Goffman's conceptualization of "stigma management ." Factors leading to false accusation of lesbianism are discussed, as well as the various mechanisms utilized by athletes to manage the lesbian label.

Individuals with physical disabilities are often stigmatized because their bodies are assumed to vary from norms of physical competence and bodily appearance. Possession of a discrediting attribute may impair social interactions and result in the devaluation of an individual. The purpose of this paper is to explore how involvement in sport and physical activity may be one strategy to manage the stigma of a disabled body. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 24 male college students with physical disabilities. Findings indicate that respondents believe this context helps them exceed expectations associated with their disability through demonstration of physical skill, a fit healthy body, a muscular body, and a liberated body. Sport and physical activity may be effective in compensating for a spoiled identity as participation in this setting is unexpected and emphasizes an alternative representation of a disabled body.

Children with physical disabilities are frequently excluded by classmates and discouraged from participating in such typical childhood experiences as physical activity. By being restricted from this context, these children have fewer opportunities to enhance physical and social skills. The purpose of this study is to examine the socialization potential of physical activity for children with physical disabilities. In-depth, tape-recorded interviews were conducted with 21 boys and girls with physical disabilities (age 10 to 17 years) regarding perceived outcomes of their physical activity and reactions of others toward their participation. Findings indicate that physical activity is a normalizing experience for these children because it facilitates perceptions of legitimating their social identity as children and provides a setting in which social networks with peers are enhanced. Implications of physical activity as a context for socialization of children with physical disabilities as well as a setting for their identity work are discussed.

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As a result of gender-role socialization, women are often discouraged from viewing themselves as strong, competent, and self-determining individuals. Becoming empowered at the personal level would represent a foundation from which women could counteract these limiting self-perceptions as well as gain control over their lives. We explore the potential of sport participation to provide women with this increased sense of power. Telephone interviews were conducted with 24 women athletes in three Division Iintercollegiate sport programsin the United States. Athletes' responses suggest that sport participation related to the development of three empowering qualities women traditionally lack: (a) bodily competence, (b) perceptions of a competent self, and (c) a proactive approach to life. Despite participating in a sport context that is largely governed by men and where male notions of power prevail, the nature of power discussed by these women athletes was generally consistent with feminist reconceptualizations. n a society characterized by rigid gender-role socialization and institutional discrimination, women are often denied opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for advancement (Brown