The world of sports has gender divides and restrictions both on the fields and off. The breakdown of women's and men's teams and leagues can leave out many competitors. Communities and even legal battles are trying to figure out whether to include transgender and intersex athletes. Being a sports fan has gender rules and norms as well, even as sports leagues want to grow audience among people of all genders and gender expressions.
On this Newhouse Impact, Dr. Anne Osborne has studied these things. Her book, along with Travis Bell, Gender Defenders of the Sports Binary looks at the social construction of gender and how it impacts sports. She also researched what it means to be a female sports fan, and found gender roles and acceptance can play out here as well.
Newhouse Impact is a collaboration between WAER and the Newhouse School of Public Communications. Research and guest scheduling for by Maggie DiPatri. Our theme music was created by Kat Kollins.
