Reflections of Physical Education teachers in training in Chile. A vision on gender stereotypes, sexism and construction of hegemonic masculinity

Abstract

The sexist and discriminatory practices that are common in sport have not been alien to influence the discipline of Physical Education, giving rise to synergies with sport when used as a pedagogical resource. On the other hand, the practice of sport itself acts as a device for validating hegemonic masculinity. This research has considered the following objectives: to analyse gender stereotypes in physical-sports practices in male students of Physical Education Pedagogy degrees in Chilean public and private universities, and to understand in what aspects this same student body visualises or recognises sexism at the educational level in physical education classes from their expressions of masculinity. A mixed concurrent design was used: WHICH + WHICH. The data collected through questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics and the information obtained from interviews was analysed inductively. The results highlight a greater presence of gender stereotypes linked to sport and physical activity in people who identify with the male gender, and this population tends to engage in sporting practices strongly stereotyped to the male gender, as well as their professional preferences. In addition, it was observed that masculinities are validated through competitiveness between men, naturalising aggressiveness. This study confirms the existence of gender stereotypes in masculinities and suggests that Physical Education influences the construction of hegemonic masculinity.