Women and competitive sport: perceived barriers to equality

Abstract

Modern sport was conceived by and for men. It has been a forbidden territory for women, who are perceived as outsiders, especially those who choose to engage in competitive sport. Despite the social advances that have taken place, women’s sport continues to be structurally and symbolically more precarious. This study aims to analyse the barriers women perceive to continue participating in competitive sport. A qualitative methodology framed in grounded theory was used. Forty-five women residing in Spain participated in the study. Five focus groups were formed according to the type of sport: futsal, volleyball, handball, swimming, track and field, and fencing. The participants’ discourse points to the existence of multiple barriers due to the fact of being a woman, such as the differentiated perception of changes that occur in adolescence, the conciliation of sport and education, the difficulties in making a living from sport in the long term, and the work-life balance. At the same time, they identify other barriers that may also affect men, such as the sacrifice involved in competition, injuries, and competitive pressure. The results suggest that ensuring women’s access to sport does not guarantee equal and barrier-free conditions for their participation.