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

Abstract

Patriarchal dominance in our Western society has oppressed not only women but it has also isolated many men who did not comply with hegemonic masculinity patterns. The aim of this study is to know and analyse the experiences of a group of boys who practise rhythmic gymnastics, traditionally linked to the feminine reality. Within this interpretative paradigm, eight interviews has been done to gymnasts (8-19 years old), who practise rhythmic gymnastics in a competitive or amateur level. The boys express the familiar support that they have had when deciding to practise a traditionally feminine sport. However, many gymnasts have been insulted or mocked by other boys. Therefore, it is important to work with families in order to eliminate stereotypes and prejudices in this masculine discipline in the future. Similarly, rhythmic gymnastics must be promoted among boys, since a higher presence of boys in clubs would ease their reception among girls.

A New Spin on Gender: How Parents of Male Baton Twirlers (Un)Do Gender Essentialism

“…The role of parents in the lives of boys who choose feminized sports is largely missing from sport literature with the exception of a few international studies (Chimot & Louveau, 2010;Mennesson, 2009;Piedra, 2017). Messner's (1992Messner's ( , 2009Messner's ( , 2011 body of work on gender and sport provides a close look at the development of masculinity in sport but does not extend beyond traditional sports to include gender atypical sports.…”

“…In contrast, the fathers of jazz dancers consistently saw dance as a leisure activity rather than an opportunity for professional work and would rarely lend support. Mothers of boys in rhythmic gymnastics were either ambivalent about their sons' choice of sport or were supportive; none were opposed (Chimot & Louveau, 2010;Piedra, 2017). Fathers of rhythmic gymnasts largely did not support their son's pursuits and, like dancers, only gave approval after proof of success (e.g., winning events or employment) (Chimot & Louveau, 2010;Piedra, 2017; see also Messner, 2009).…”

“…Contrary to more traditional sports settings where masculinity and men dominate, feminized or women-dominated sports are also arenas for boys' gender socialization. These sports may include figure skating (Adams, 2011), rhythmic gymnastics (Chimot & Louvaeu, 2010;Piedra, 2017), cheerleading (Bemiller, 2005;Grindstaff & West, 2006), dance (Mennesson, 2009), and baton twirling (Haltom, 2019). Men and boys in these feminized sports resist traditional models of sport and cross gendered boundaries (Haltom, 2019;Piedra, 2017).…”

“…These sports may include figure skating (Adams, 2011), rhythmic gymnastics (Chimot & Louvaeu, 2010;Piedra, 2017), cheerleading (Bemiller, 2005;Grindstaff & West, 2006), dance (Mennesson, 2009), and baton twirling (Haltom, 2019). Men and boys in these feminized sports resist traditional models of sport and cross gendered boundaries (Haltom, 2019;Piedra, 2017). When boys break these gendered sport expectations, parents are faced with renegotiating the gender messages they attach to their child's activities.…”

Promoting Gender Equality, SDG5 in Gymnastics

“…However, the configuration of sport today and of our society means that not only women are affected by sexism, but other groups, including men, are influenced by traditional stereotypes and roles based on the patriarchal culture. Patriarchal supremacy on the sports field, according to Hargreaves (2003), is more resistant to change than in other areas, has not only oppressed women, but has marginalized many men (Piedra, 2017;Tischler & McCaughty, 2011) who did not conform to the patterns of hegemonic masculinity (Connell & Messerchmidt, 2005). In a recent study, Gallardo (2019) concludes that gymnastics specialties', such as rhythmic gymnastics, still need to be improved, and for this it is necessary to integrate inclusive education at school age and develop training courses on equality in sport for teachers and parents from the sports federations.…”