Challenging the gender binary? Male basketball practice players’ views of female athletes and women’s sports

Thinking beyond the binary: Barriers to trans* participation in university sport

“…However, many sport bodies reinforce adherence to gender expectations through policy and practice. Underpinning some policies including BUCS (2019c) regulations are essentialist, binary ideas about gender, supporting beliefs about the superiority and hegemony of men in sport, despite the fact that ability is situated on a continuum that arguably transcends gender (Fink et al, 2016). From a sociological perspective, gender identity is socially constructed, and an outcome of repeated performances of an individual’s expected gender role, either masculinity or femininity (Nagoshi et al, 2012).…”

“…Thus, Quidditch provides an alternative structure of sport that goes beyond the two-category model. According to Fink et al (2016), gender-integrated playing experiences may also break down gender stereotypes, helping to eradicate ideas about the supposed physical inferiority of women in sport by promoting their athleticism. Thus, it is evident there are other ways to structure sport, particularly at the non-elite level, which may be worth considering in the university sport context to promote both trans* inclusion and increased respect for women’s sporting abilities.…”

“…In addition, some trans* people’s identities are clearly aligned within the binary framework and therefore binaries should not be considered unequivocally oppressive for all. However, there are other ways that sport may be structured (Bianchi, 2017; Fink et al, 2016; Segrave, 2016), which may assist in promoting trans* inclusion and opportunities for women and girls. However, these alternative structures may create tension and conflict; binary gender categories remain the hegemonic norm in sport and are normalised in many day-to-day practices, with the views of scholars such as Pieper (2016) and others – who argue gender-separation in sport is flawed – largely marginalised by sport organisations.…”

“…Indeed, there are a variety of factors that impact performance, and genetic factors within gender-segregated competition are also potentially unfair; thus, it is unlikely everyone competes on an equal playing field (Bianchi, 2017). Fink et al (2016) have previously argued that sport performance should be looked at as a continuum from low to high standard that transcends the boundaries of gender; in other words, many women can outperform men, but as most sport is gender-segregated, this is rarely seen.…”

Negotiating Gender in the English Football Workplace: Composite Vignettes of Women Head Coaches’ Experiences

“…Men are more likely to respect women and view them as equals when exposed to competent women leaders (Fink, LaVoi, & Newhall, 2016). Role congruity theory of prejudice proposes that attitudes are less positive toward female than male leaders when there is perceived incongruity between the female gender role and leadership roles (Eagly & Karau, 2002).…”