Kicking against tradition: women's football, negotiating friendships and social spaces
A summary of the article:
The article "Kicking Against Tradition: Women’s Football, Negotiating Friendships and Social Spaces" explores how women in amateur football challenge traditional gender norms through their participation in the sport. By focusing on women in the North West of England, the study examines how football offers an alternative social space where female friendships and connections thrive outside of conventional domestic environments. It highlights the importance of sociability, where friendships are formed through shared activities, contrasting with the more emotional ties typically associated with female friendships. The study also addresses the tension many players face in balancing their domestic responsibilities with their commitment to football, as the sport remains a predominantly masculine domain.
The findings suggest that women’s football not only provides a leisure activity but also serves as a means of resistance against gendered expectations, allowing women to redefine their roles in both public and private spaces. The friendships formed through football, centered on mutual interests and shared experiences, challenge traditional notions of femininity and highlight the social value of women participating in sports. Despite ongoing challenges, these women carve out new social identities, balancing the pressures of domestic life while fostering meaningful, non-traditional friendships through football.
Key Takeaways:
Football as a site of resistance: Women’s participation in football challenges traditional gender norms, allowing them to form friendships in non-traditional social spaces.
Balancing domestic life with football: Many women struggle to balance their domestic responsibilities with their commitment to playing football, highlighting the tension between traditional roles and leisure activities.
Sociability over emotional ties: The study finds that women’s football friendships are often based on shared activities and sociability rather than the emotional depth typically associated with female friendships.
Authors: Kate Themen & Jenny van Hooff
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