Masculinities, Sport, and Violence Against Women: The Contribution of Male Peer Support Theory

Abstract

Although there are active debates about the nature and role of masculinities and a rise of new masculinity formations in modern society, feminist analysis of the relationship between sport, masculinities, and violence against women has been somewhat quiescent lately. This article seeks to underline this connection through the use of male peer support theory, which has been expanded in recent years to include messages from women and from within the LGBTQ community, and to recognize the rise in newer masculinity formations and the influence of new technology.

“Putting His Off-Field Issues Aside…”: Exploring Online Sport Fan Community Response to Allegations Against Deshaun Watson

“…Male peer support aligns with the dynamics of some online discussions-including those in the manosphere (Schwartz, 2021). The manosphere, which provides space for male peer support, consists of online communities united by an opposition to feminism (Ging, 2019;Schwartz, 2021).…”

“…Male peer support aligns with the dynamics of some online discussions-including those in the manosphere (Schwartz, 2021). The manosphere, which provides space for male peer support, consists of online communities united by an opposition to feminism (Ging, 2019;Schwartz, 2021). Ging (2019) describes the manosphere as marked by the performance of hybrid masculinities that obscure and reinforce social inequities while letting people position themselves in opposition to hegemonic masculinity.…”

“…Male Peer Support and The Manosphere Male peer support theory describes how men's homosocial relationships encourage and legitimize sexual violence, which, in turn, promotes patriarchal power structures (Schwartz, 2021). The theory suggests men befriend those with similar beliefs, leading them to share information and attitudes that reinforce a tolerance of sexual assault and rationalize violence perpetration (Gondenzi et al, 2001;Schwartz, 2021). Peer support may reinforce notions of men's superiority over women, facilitating sexual violence as a way to buttress gender inequities (Gondenzi et al, 2001;Schwartz, 2021).…”

Sports Participation, Social Networks, and Sexual Violence Perpetration

“…The male peer support (MPS) model ( DeKeseredy, 1988 ), which suggests that attachments to male peers and their resources (e.g., support) legitimizes and encourages abuse of women, has expanded to incorporate other factors, such as substance use and membership in male groups (e.g., college fraternities, sports teams; Schwartz & DeKeseredy, 1997 ). Recent scholarship has emphasized the role sports might play in understanding forms of masculinity and violence against women ( Schwartz, 2021 ). DeKeseredy and colleagues (2017) recognized that MPS theory can apply to other forms of aggression (e.g., male on male, female on male) and have renamed MPS to be pro-abuse peer support.…”

More Talent, More Leeway: Do Violence Against Women Arrests Really Hurt NFL Player Careers?

“…While many of these arrests are for non-violent crimes, arrests for acts of violence against women (hereafter "VAW") are a serious problem among NFL players (Leal et al, 2015;Withers, 2010), one which the NFL has historically not sufficiently addressed. Several studies have found that athletes in general (Leal et al, 2015;Young et al, 2017) and football players specifically (Gage, 2008;Leal et al, 2015) commit and are arrested for more acts of VAW than men in the general population, though these findings are not unanimous (McCray, 2015;Schwartz, 2021). While research suggests that sanctions for athlete acts of VAW are negligible (Sailofsky & Shor, 2022;Withers, 2010), many sports fans still believe that arrests and criminal allegations are likely to ruin an athlete's career (Delgado, 2014;TMZ, 2018).…”