“The Club Management Ignores Us”: Gender-Power Relations in Women’s Football in Turkey

Abstract

This research aims to explore the gender–power relations and gendered experiences of the players in a women’s football team in Turkey. An ethnographic method and a feminist perspective were used to allow a deeper understanding of their experiences. Based on participant observation and interviews conducted with 14 players, three coaches, and one staff member, the data were analyzed via thematic analysis. The identified themes are (a) institutionalized gender discrimination and (b) compulsory femininity: being ladylike. The findings indicate that unequal gender relations in the club, influenced by institutionalized gender discrimination, determine the position of the women’s team within the club. Accordingly, compulsory femininity is continuously generated in the field. Consequently, the women’s football team remained at the periphery (and finally outside) of the men’s club.

Gender-Stereotyped Barriers Against Women Football Players in Turkey: A Qualitative Perspective on the Eccles’ Expectancy-Value Theory

“…As Emessine point out, women share changing rooms and football uniforms with men. Öztürk and Koca (2021) have found similar results. In their findings, the basic necessities such as restrooms, showers, and lockers generally were not available for women players in the facilities.…”

“…Bade's emphasis on club managers shows us that institutional neglection and stereotypes are quite strong and rooted. This emphasis reflects a recent study by Öztürk and Koca (2021) that club management did not see women as football players but just as women, Pamukkale J Sport Sci, 13(3), 146-173, 2022 158 and they were unwilling to maintain women's football at the club and looking for excuses to close it down. Another participant Emessine referred to other difficulties in women's football:…”

“…Bozlu (2019), on the other hand, examined the experiences of female athletes in the field of football, which is under the influence of male dominance, with Bourdieu's concepts of space and capital. In the study of Öztürk and Koca (2021), which they conducted with an ethnographic method and a feminist perspective, it was revealed that the denial attitudes of club managers subordinate female football players. In Nuhrat's research (2020), it was concluded that women see the football field as an instrument where they are marginalized.…”

“…The lack of media interest in women's football leads to the fact that sponsors likewise take no interest in the sport, which in turn influences the game and Pamukkale J Sport Sci, 13(3), 146-173, 2022 159 development, thus contributing generally to its marginalization (Hardin & Greer, 2009;Peeters & Sterkenburg, 2017;Kaelberer, 2019;Bevan et al, 2021). However, even any success does not change their secondary status in the club or increase the opportunities and sources allocated to the team (Öztürk & Koca, 2021). When young women players experience these barriers, such as training conditions, poor facilities, and underrepresentation of women players in media it is more likely that their involvement is of low quality which leads to greater sport drop-out (González et al, 2019).…”

“Your Hair or the Team!” Body Politics and Possibilities of Resistance in Women’s Football in Turkey

“…Türkiye'de de kadınların elit düzey 2 spor deneyimleri üzerine söz söyleyen araştırmalar, heteroseksüel kadınlığın sporda katı bir norm olarak işlediğini ortaya koymaktadır (Koca ve Bulgu, 2005;Kavasoğlu ve Koca, 2019;Öztürk ve Koca, 2018;Öztürk ve Koca, 2020). Örneğin erkek kimliğinin inşasında önemli görülen vücut geliştirme alanında kadın sporcular, cinsiyet kimlikleri ve cinsel yönelimlerinin sorgulanmaması için cisheteroseksüel kadınlıklarını vurgulamak durumunda kalmaktadırlar (Kavasoğlu ve Macit, 2018;Kavasoğlu ve Koca, 2019).…”