Gender constructions in breaking. Issue 11 (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Langnes, Tonje F.; Fasting, Kari
• Is Part Of: Sport in society. Volume 20:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 1596
• Page End: 1611
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: Sports -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Cross-cultural studies -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; 306.48305
• DOI: 10.1080/17430437.2017.1284809
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-0437

Abstract

Abstract: Drawing on the perspectives of youth involved in breaking, also known as breakdance, the aim of this article is to explore how their experiences contribute to the doing, redoing and undoing of gender. The negotiation of gender is highlighted through the female breakers' experiences in a male-dominated culture. The analysis is based on fieldwork and qualitative interviews with young breakers in Norway. The results show that the female breakers challenged the perception of masculinity and femininity as they extended their practice of gender. Their desire to disprove the gendered expectations of female breakers resulted in a mixing of masculinity and femininity. Accordingly, the gender regime among the breakers was simultaneously re-constructed and challenged. We argue that both male and female breakers challenge normative perceptions of doing gender. Consequently, breaking has the capacity to dismantle the gender binary, and to redo and undo the gender order.