Body Management in Female Soccer Players

Zamanian, Faeze; Vesalinaseh, Majid; Forouzandeh, Elham

doi:10.22059/jwdp.2024.361866.1008353

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Iran University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

² Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, National University of Skill (NUS), Tehran, Iran.

³ Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Naein Branch, Islamic Azad University, Naein, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jwdp.2024.361866.1008353

Abstract

The objective of this research was to examine the manner in which exceptional female soccer players navigate the intersection of their feminine and athletic personas both within and beyond the realm of athletics. Phenomenological analysis, a qualitative research procedure, was employed in this investigation. In order to collect data, an in-depth and semi-structured interview was carried out with eight female soccer players aged 19-27 who were members of the Iranian Super League. Utilizing the theoretical sampling procedure, data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Following recording, each interview was transcribed by hand, line by line. Analysis of findings was conducted both during and subsequent to data collection. Certain participants held the perception that their feminine and athletic personas were harmonious in social and athletic settings. As reported by other participants, athleticism and femininity are diametrically opposed. Three overarching experiences are employed to address this incompatibility. 1. disclosing their feminine identities in social contexts and their athletic identities in sports contexts. 2.emphasizing the feminine characteristic in both settings. 3. emphasizing the athletic brand in both contexts. To alleviate the negative tensions and pressures caused by this conflict, female soccer players manage their feminine or athletic identities through appearance and body management, including apparel, makeup, hair and body manipulation, behavior, tone of voice, and gender role tasks. Perceptions of the (in)congruence between the athletic and feminine identities of female soccer players and the type of body management they employed were found to overlap.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Women's Studies

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Woman in Development & Politics

Body Management in Female Soccer Players

References

References

Volume 22, Issue 2
June 2024
Pages 377-406

Body Management in Female Soccer Players

References

References

Volume 22, Issue 2June 2024Pages 377-406

Volume 22, Issue 2
June 2024
Pages 377-406