Culture Considerations (Asynchronous - Online Only)
Why Otherly has Meaning and Power View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Aubrey H. Shaw, Sharon Kay Stoll
Michael Oliver in, What is so wonderful about walking? makes a compelling argument of how walking is a societal symbol of the abled bodied. He also argues that ableness should not be linked to walking. However, Oliver’s point is lost since society does judge a person’s physical ability by their walking or lack thereof. Oliver quotes poet Lois Keith, that just because she cannot stand does not make her weak; rather she is “otherly”. Keith also asks: whose body is it and who decides the worth of that body? Even though she must often depend on other human beings, she is capable. Abled individuals often demean the power and ability of individuals who are otherly, including the para-abled. Historically, people who are otherly have always been treated poorly. In ancient times those who were physically different were left to die. From time immortal, language described these individuals as crippled, or worse. Little thought was given to the meaningfulness of language, including the word disability. Aimee Mullins, a United States Paralympian, in her 2009 TED talk, discusses that words have meaning. The words we choose describe what we value and believe. Often when we use words to describe others those words are inadequate and therefore, often belittle and defame. Consider the word disabled. Synonyms are handicapped, wrecked, ruined, lame, and crippled. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) Discuss the relationship between words and the body; and 2) Consider the effect of words demeaning the body of the otherly.
Gender Games: Sports and the Gender Binary View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Tanya Kini
Sport has been a space for political expression and advocacy. Athletes and governments have used the international sport system to push their political agenda, successfully or not. The International Olympic Committee has however maintained its apolitical stance, even within a 21st century society calling for better protections of human rights. This paper, as an extract of the author's Master's thesis, through academic literature reviewed in sports studies and gender theories, uses three research questions to explain the IOC’s reluctance to take charge of protecting LGBTQ+ rights in sport. It also includes semi-structured interviews of relevant experts and a content analysis of online news media. Findings showcase the need for a thorough understanding of gender and sexuality before attempting to rebuild the gender binary in sport. An acknowledgement of LGBTQ+ rights as human rights and their protection especially within sport is necessary. Future research should explore pathways to make the international sport system a better protector of human rights.
Penis-washing - Tim Paine, Sexting and Saving the ‘Baggy Green’: The Downfall of Australian Cricket Captain over Sexting Scandal View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Julie-Ann C Tullberg, Tom F Heenan
The Australian cricket captain is often touted as the nation’s most important job, but in recent times it has been rocked by scandals. Former captain Steve Smith was axed for cheating and now his replacement Tim Paine has resigned for sexting. Paine was appointed to resurrect respect in the national team and Cricket Australia’s (CA) brand after Smith’s sacking and was regarded as a success. The sexting happened while Paine was employed at Cricket Tasmania (CT). Because it was considered consensual, Paine was cleared of misconduct by CT and CA in private hearings. When the matter was exposed publicly Paine resigned from the captaincy. Details emerged that he had sent a photo of his penis to the woman who then complained to CT. The scandal generated much media debate and highlighted sport scandals’ importance as major selling vehicles for media organizations. Ostensibly, the media’s role seemed contrary to CA’s which has covered-up past player indiscretions to protect its brand. While Paine was treated sympathetically in the media, the woman’s name was revealed, and details of pending criminal charges brought against her by CT. The leaking of this information raises questions about the media’s relationship with CA. This paper analyses the media’s manipulation of the story. It contends that once the story broke, cricket administrators and media aligned to ‘wash’ the player’s image and protect the position of the Australian cricket captain and CA’s family-oriented brand.
American College Football and Homophobia: An Empirical Study View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Derek Van Rheenen
This study examines how male hegemony in team sports, such as football, promote homophobia as a form of symbolic violence and a powerful mechanism of social control. The research included the survey administration of the Attitudes Toward Gay Men (ATG) scale (Herek, 1984, 1994) to one Division I college football team on the west coast of the United States, measuring participants' relative levels of homophobia. Findings indicate that approximately two-thirds (n=65) of the members of this college football team reported a positive attitude towards homosexuality within this study, while roughly one-third of respondents had negative attitudes toward gay men. Level of religious faith, regardless of denomination, was the best predictor of participants' attitudes toward homosexuality. Finally, the paper discusses the study's limitations, directions for future research and implications to enhance a more open and inclusive climate within American college football.
Contributions of Outness to Sexual Minorities' Participation in Sports: An Elaboration on Self-determination Theory
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Casper Voyles
Motivation may be an important driver of participation in sports, but traditional theories of motivation often fall short in explaining disparities for certain populations facing relative exclusion. Sexual minorities (SM), a group less likely to participate in many sports than the general population, report interest in engaging in athletic activities, but face unique barriers to doing so in a way that openly integrates their SM identity. Based on qualitative interviews with 24 sexual minority (SM) current and former athletes, I elaborate upon Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to put forward a framework of how “outness” relates to sports participation among SM. I posit that social contexts within various levels of competition affect disclosure and concealment of SM identity to others within the sports realm (i.e., teammates, coaches, athletic staff), which in turn affects queer visibility and possibilities for belonging. While participants at all levels of competition emphasized how SM identity “shouldn’t matter” in sports, varying opportunities for sociality between intramurals, club, and varsity sports contexts necessitate different identity management considerations. For SM athletes, SDT’s basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness each intersect with outness and contribute to sport persistence for this group. These results inform inclusive sporting practices for those with hidden, stigmatized identities and ensure that individuals and teams can play at their best.
