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All part of the hetero-normative? Women football fans` voices on players` sexual (mis)conduct
conference contribution
posted on 2006-01-01, 00:00 authored by Peter Mewett, Kim ToffolettiKim ToffolettiFrom interviews conducted in Victoria with women fans of Australian Rules Football, this paper examines their perceptions and rationalisations of alleged sexual misconduct by players. The paper is situated in the seeming contradiction of women avidly supporting male dominated sports despite players being implicated in misconduct against their gender. Women fans' voices about the reported misconduct are explored. These fall into two main categories that are referred to as the 'predatory female' and the 'rogue male' narratives. The former suggests that the sexual assertiveness of some women - the 'groupies' - unlocks men's primal sexuality. The latter points to footballers being immersed in a hyper-masculine sub-culture that predisposes them to treat women in an arbitrary, demeaning manner. The fans' voices, while condemning players' misconduct, suggest that predatory females, by actively seeking out footballers, become victims
because they trigger testosterone driven male responses. Rogue male behaviour is deprecated, but understood as stemming from masculine ways, accentuated by team bonding, that leads some individuals into misconduct, possibly as a means of emphasising their masculinity within their group. Explaining player misconduct in these ways enables fans to distance themselves from it and continue their passionate support of
football.
because they trigger testosterone driven male responses. Rogue male behaviour is deprecated, but understood as stemming from masculine ways, accentuated by team bonding, that leads some individuals into misconduct, possibly as a means of emphasising their masculinity within their group. Explaining player misconduct in these ways enables fans to distance themselves from it and continue their passionate support of
football.
History
Event
TASA Conference 2006, University of Western Australia & Murdoch University, 4-7 December 2006Pagination
1 - 9Publisher
Sociological Association of Australia (TASA)Location
University of Western AustraliaPlace of publication
Sandy Bay, Tas.Start date
2006-12-04End date
2006-12-07ISBN-13
9781740521390Language
engPublication classification
E1 Full written paper - refereedCopyright notice
2006, Sociological Association of Australia (TASA)Title of proceedings
Sociology for a mobile world. TASA 2006 Conference Proceedings.Usage metrics
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