The intersectionality of the sports labour market and gender inequality in South Korea

Abstract

This study explores how the dual-segmented sports labour market and gender inequality intersect. It also defines the complex patterns of discrimination experienced by non-regular female instructors using the concept of intersectionality. Nine non-regular female instructors of school athletic teams with more than three years’ experience were recruited, and data were collected through a literature review and in-depth interviews. The results can be summarized as follows. First, non-regular female instructors of school athletic teams were positioned as ‘care worker’ and ‘livelihood assistant’ because of women’s social identity. Second, they experienced employment, status/power, and opportunity inequalities. This suggests that non-regular women worker are marginalized in the sports labour market, and educational and policy measures are required to mitigate inequality.

Keywords:

• Sports labour market
• gender inequality
• intersectionality
• school athletic team
• female instructors

Data availability statement

The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not available due to ethical/legal/commercial restrictions. Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Geolocation information

South Korea.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 The physical education teacher serves as the team director for the SATs since they are a school team. A teacher (team director) is responsible for only administrative tasks, while the SATs instructor is responsible for student guidance and management, performance analysis, and career advancement as a coach.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2019S1A5A8035566)