Becoming a man while playing a female sport: The construction of masculine identity in boys doing rhythmic gymnastics

Abstract

The article shows how young men who take part in a 'feminine' sport -rhythmic gymnasticsconstruct their masculine identity. In order to be considered as men, boys performing rhythmic gymnastics have to work to construct their identity, a construction which depends both on their personal projects and on their relationships with family and friends. Adults (parents and other family members) as well as peers exert pressure on boys taking part in rhythmic gymnastics to conform to traditional masculine norms and their constructed identity can depend on this, as well as the relationships they have with girls who also do rhythmic gymnastics. These young men implement strategies in order to reconcile the different images of masculinity they are confronted with and to construct their identity: that of a man playing a feminine sport.

Masculine, feminine and neutral sports: Extracurricular sport modalities in practice

“…They were activities related to rhythm, expression and dancing. Swimming also seemed to be a discipline more associated with girls (Fernández- Nonetheless, studies about masculinity in sport have been conducted in the last years (Chimot & Louveau, 2010;Silva et al, 2011;Vidiella, 2007;Vidiella et al, 2010). They revealed a different reality: sport and physical activity may turn into a great enemy for many boys and young men if they do not follow the standards set by the masculine hegemony.…”

Masculinity and Rhythmic Gymnastics. An Exploration on the Transgression of Gender Order in Sport

“…Expenses are sometimes high since the athletic wear is especially expensive. Nonetheless, parents' support has not always been parallel to that of brothers or other relatives, especially male elder ones (Chimot & Louveau, 2010). Even though these initial doubts are acknowledged, these are later transformed into support.…”

“…In this evolution, familiar environment as well as acquaintances both play a crucial part to promote or hinder some interests. In the case of sport, success is clearly related to athletes' familiar support (Chimot & Louveau, 2010;Coté, 1999). This has been reflected by most of the interviewed boys, who allude to their parents' support when they began to practise rhythmical gymnastics.…”

“…The boys who decide to practise this sport withstand the "norm" in a double way: they show an identity far from hegemonic masculinity and they do it in a traditionally feminine sport. As Chimot and Louveau (2010) remark, a boy who practises rhythmic gymnastics needs to dare a disputing conflict: he needs to reach a good level of feminine technical expression that is traditionally identified with rhythmic gymnastics, and he also needs to keep his identity as a "true man".…”

Dilemas Insurgentes No Esporte: As Práticas Esportivas Dissonantes

“…O mesmo podemos pensar para o caso da Ginástica Rítmica (GR) desenvolvida no Japão e em alguns países europeus por atletas do gênero masculino (COELHO, 2016;CHIMOT;LOUVEAU, 2010), pois, sendo um esporte "historicamente feminino", a proliferação de torneios masculinos japoneses de GR coloca em xeque a lógica (ilógica) do alinhamento e assignação entre sexo biológico, expectativas de gênero e esporte especifico. Ou ainda, a proposta de realização, também oferecida pelos Gay Games em Colônia 2010, do figure skating (patinação artística) entre casais do mesmo sexo: Note-se que a patinação artística é uma modalidade solo ou, no máximo, composta por casais de sexos opostos.…”