Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Using a feminist social constructivist lens, the purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of adolescent females currently participating in aesthetic sports. Specifically, this study sought to critically examine the ways in which the new feminine ideal and a post-feminist girlhood culture shaped the girls’ experiences. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach a purposive sample of eight girls, between the ages of 12-15, participated in the study. Three major themes that best reflect the interpretation of the participants experiences emerged: Negotiating higher social status in the school environment, framing success through gendered and neoliberal discourses, and, constructing the ideal image. Moreover, the major themes resulted in the culmination of experiences leading to the core theme “Falling short of the neoliberal ideal.” The study highlights the need for educators and sport practitioners to advocate for a diversity of gender expression.