Female fans in blue and white (and yellow): interrelations between ethnonational and gender identity in the construction of female fandom

Levental, Orr; Kharanbeh, Saleh; Gover, Ofri; Kidron, Anat

doi:10.1080/13537121.2022.2112392

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Israel presents a dynamic sociocultural tapestry that deeply influences the process of sports selection [28,29]. For instance, while soccer enjoys widespread popularity across various Israeli demographics, the choice to enroll a child in Krav Maga-a martial art of Israeli origin-might stem from a blend of national pride, a sense of self-defense, and community encouragement [30].…”

Section: The Israeli Tapestry: Navigating Multifaceted Influences In ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Parents’ Involvement in Choosing Extracurricular Sports Activities: A Gendered Perspective from Israel

Levental,

Lev-Arey,

Tamir

2024

Education Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study explores the multifaceted motivations behind parental decisions to enroll their children in organized sports, with a focus on how these decisions intersect with gender norms and values. Through qualitative interviews with mothers and fathers in Israel, this research uncovers a complex interplay between societal expectations, personal values, and the gender identities of both parents and children. A thematic analysis of the interviews revealed that despite a societal shift towards more gender-neutral perspectives, traditional gender roles persist, particularly in the attitudes of fathers towards the sports participation of their sons. This research identifies a paradox where girls are encouraged to participate in a broader range of sports, including those traditionally viewed as masculine, while boys face more restrictions, particularly against engaging in sports perceived as feminine. Mothers generally exhibit more flexibility in challenging gender norms, suggesting the potential for gradual change in future generations. This study’s findings contribute to the understanding of how parental guidance shapes children’s sports involvement and the perpetuation or challenging of gender norms within this context. Future research could benefit from a broader, more diverse sample and a mixed-methods approach to enhance generalizability and reduce potential biases.

show abstract

Section: The Israeli Tapestry: Navigating Multifaceted Influences In ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Parents’ Involvement in Choosing Extracurricular Sports Activities: A Gendered Perspective from Israel

Levental,

Lev-Arey,

Tamir

2024

Education Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, trends of commercialization and professionalization, especially during the 1980s, led to a distancing from ideological affiliations and to the emergence of a global fan culture (Ben-Porat, 2000). Despite the processes of sports fandom globalization, there are still cultural components that manifest, including militarism prevalent in Israeli society, entering the realm of fan culture (Roth-Cohen and Tamir, 2017), as well as idealized perceptions of athletes (Levental et al, 2022). These factors do indeed impact fans' expectations of players but are not fundamentally different from the branding processes undergone by top athletes worldwide.…”

Section: Sports Fansmentioning

confidence: 99%

From legends to legacy: the impact of fan influence on retiring athletes in premier league basketball

Lev,

Levental,

Tamir

2023

Front. Psychol.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionThis research examines the perceived age of Premier League basketball players as they near retirement, focusing on the complex interplay between players, fans, and the media in shaping perceptions of age and retirement. The study highlights the unique pressure on the basketball players to retire due to age-related expectations, rooted in the perception that athleticism is age dependent.MethodsThe research methodology applied in this study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with a sample of 11 professional Israeli basketball players and two veteran players’ agents.ResultsThree themes emerged: (1) Feelings of betrayal and ingratitude; (2) A farewell tour toward disengagement from one’s professional career; and (3) The media’s role in shaping beliefs and attitudes. These themes illustrate how the sports environment portrays aging players, shaping fan opinions, both positively and negatively. Significantly, the findings emphasize the challenges that players must confront within an ageist environment.DiscussionThe study concludes by highlighting the cultural and social construction at work. The “coercion” to retire from professional sports is more pronounced here due to the common belief that sports success is time-bound and age-dependent, necessitating a “young body”. In this reality, the audience does not merely function as a backdrop for athletes’ performances, but has the power, at the collective and the individual level, to affect change on and off the court.

show abstract

From combat boots to running shoes: The role of military service in shaping masculine identity in Israeli long-distance running groups

Lev

2024

International Review for the Sociology of Sport

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examines the social construction of masculinity within the Israeli society, focusing on the associations between masculine identity, prior military service, and current involvement in long-distance running. A 2-year ethnographic research design was utilized, involving two running groups, which incorporated participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and running websites. The findings shed light on the significance of military service experience and the utilization of military discourse as strategies employed by runners to navigate the challenges of long-distance running and to reinforce their masculine identity. Through an analysis of the runners’ military discourse and behavior, it becomes evident that the integration of women into traditionally masculine domains of intense physical activity poses a threat to masculine dominance, eliciting various responses from men, such as intensified sports training and the use of sexist and aggressive language. These coping mechanisms contribute to the perpetuation of male dominance within the long-distance running sphere while simultaneously providing male runners with a pseudo-corrective experience associated with their personal history of non-combat military involvement.

show abstract

Female fans in blue and white (and yellow): interrelations between ethnonational and gender identity in the construction of female fandom

Cited by 3 publications

References 31 publications

Parents’ Involvement in Choosing Extracurricular Sports Activities: A Gendered Perspective from Israel

Parents’ Involvement in Choosing Extracurricular Sports Activities: A Gendered Perspective from Israel

From legends to legacy: the impact of fan influence on retiring athletes in premier league basketball

From combat boots to running shoes: The role of military service in shaping masculine identity in Israeli long-distance running groups

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About