Women and Sport in Scandinavia: Policy, Participation and Representation

Abstract

Throughout the 20th century women have gradually gained access to sporting activities but it is only in recent decades that they have become widely represented in the decision-making bodies of spart. How can we account for this development and the weak position of women in sport? The perspective in this article is historical and three levels of explanation are considered. To what extent can the developments be explained as the result of public policy, the organization and policy of the voluntary associations and federations and by the action or predispositions of (groups of) women themselves. The article presents an overview of the state of the art in the research on women and sport in Scandinavia in the sense that new data have been collected and existing research and writings are being reviewed. By questioning central myths about sport and politics, and about the roles women play, it is shown that the role of women in sports is related both to gaining access to the sporting activities per se and to the fora where decisions are being made, and that this access has k e n hampered as well as facilitated by government policies and policies of associations and interest organizations of the sports world. Government policies, however, cannot account for the remarkable changes in physical participation and democratic representation of women in sports which has taken place during the past century. The policies of the voluntary sports associations and federations are of greater importance. But the key to the understanding is found among the women themselves. So it is argued that physical performance and involvement in management and decision-making are dependent not only on formal structures and the policies of governments and interest organizations, but to a large extent upon the way in which women see themselves. This argumentation rests on the available data and a critical reading of the literature and research on women and sport in Scandinavia.

Empowering Young Female Athletes Through a Self-Strengthening Programme: A Qualitative Analysis

“…In spite of the fact that women in Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries have fought over the last 20 years for equal opportunities and participation within sport (Fasting and Skou, 1994;Scraton et al, 1999) females are still subordinate to males, especially in important central positions of power in sports organizations (Cederberg and Olofsson, 1996;Hovden, 1999;Klausen, 1996). The Swedish Sport Confederation (SSC) is the national umbrella organization for organized sport in Sweden.…”

“…It is an independent, non-governmental body which, like all Swedish sports organizations, is heavily dependent upon volunteers (Klausen, 1996). In the Scandinavian countries, sport ideology and policies have contributed to the continuation of male coaches, administrators and board members in sports organizations (Hovden, 1999;Klausen, 1996;Olofsson, 1989). It appears that the sport federations in Sweden do not pay sufficient attention to the SSC action plan for gender equality (Åström, 1995).…”