Would All the Generic Women in Sport Please Stand Up? Challenges Facing Feminist Sport Sociology

Abstract

This essay argues for a rethinking of feminist analyses of sport and explores the possibilities that exist for developing different ways of thinking, acting, and being as feminist sport sociologists. Beginning with an examination and critique of feminists attempts to develop theories in which white, middleclass women's experiences are falsely universalized as representative of all women's experiences, this essay argues for giving up theories that assume the existence of a generic woman and for developing work that reflects the diversity of all women's lives; an example of this is found in the ways identities and standpoints influence academic feminist work. An analysis of heterosexism in sport helps suggest ways of developing analyses that can help to challenge and change the multiple forms of oppression in sport.