Boxing like a Man, Being a Woman
Mennesson, Christine
Boxing like a Man, Being a Woman - 2009.
92
The practice of combat of “hard” boxing, which authorizes a high level of physical violence and displays severe suffering, is the one privileged by men in the prizefighting world. The participation of women in “kick-punch” combat tournaments (French boxing, kickboxing, etc.) calls into question the hierarchy between genders and is met with considerable resistance in the prizefighting world. Integrated within a masculine group, “hard” female boxers subject themselves to training methods that are characteristic of the construction of masculinity. Yet, socialization through boxing and the daily control exerted by male boxing instructors in charge of the physical safety of female fighters foster the incorporation of “conformist” forms of behavior that match the gender status of women. Highly dependent on this social milieu in professional and emotional terms, “hard” female boxers internalize masculine domination in a very effective way. Socialization through “hard” boxing thus produces at the very least contrasted outcomes. While they master typically masculine athletic techniques, female boxers end up strengthening asymmetrical gender relations both in their bodily behavior and in the configuration of their private lives.
Boxing like a Man, Being a Woman - 2009.
92
The practice of combat of “hard” boxing, which authorizes a high level of physical violence and displays severe suffering, is the one privileged by men in the prizefighting world. The participation of women in “kick-punch” combat tournaments (French boxing, kickboxing, etc.) calls into question the hierarchy between genders and is met with considerable resistance in the prizefighting world. Integrated within a masculine group, “hard” female boxers subject themselves to training methods that are characteristic of the construction of masculinity. Yet, socialization through boxing and the daily control exerted by male boxing instructors in charge of the physical safety of female fighters foster the incorporation of “conformist” forms of behavior that match the gender status of women. Highly dependent on this social milieu in professional and emotional terms, “hard” female boxers internalize masculine domination in a very effective way. Socialization through “hard” boxing thus produces at the very least contrasted outcomes. While they master typically masculine athletic techniques, female boxers end up strengthening asymmetrical gender relations both in their bodily behavior and in the configuration of their private lives.
Réseaux sociaux