The Incompatibility of Motherhood and Professional Women's Football in England
A summary of the article:
The article "The Incompatibility of Motherhood and Professional Women’s Football in England" examines the challenges professional women footballers face when balancing their careers with motherhood. The study highlights that despite advancements in the professionalization of women’s football, particularly in the FA Women’s Super League (WSL), the current employment structures do not adequately support athletes who wish to become mothers. Interviews with 30 professional women footballers reveal that most players lack access to maternity policies, leaving them to make difficult decisions about when or if to start a family. The study critiques the absence of maternity provisions in player contracts and the broader societal expectation that female athletes must choose between their careers and motherhood.
The findings indicate that the precarious nature of short-term contracts, combined with a lack of institutional support for maternity and childcare, reinforces the belief that motherhood and elite sports are incompatible. The research calls for the development of gender-specific policies that better support women in football, both during their playing careers and in their transition to motherhood. It also stresses the importance of providing professional women footballers with the same employment rights as their male counterparts, including longer contract durations and maternity leave.
Key Takeaways:
Lack of maternity policies: Most professional women footballers in the FA WSL do not have access to maternity benefits, which forces them to delay or forego motherhood.
Precarious short-term contracts: The reliance on one-year rolling contracts creates insecurity for female players, making it difficult to plan for both their careers and family life.
Need for gender-specific policies: The study advocates for improved contractual protections, such as maternity leave and childcare support, to ensure that women can pursue both professional football and motherhood
Authors: Alex Culvin & Ali Bowes
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