Inclusive ideologies and passive performances: exploring masculinities and attitudes toward gay peers among boys in an elite youth football academy. Issue 3 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adams, Adi; Kavanagh, Emma
• Is Part Of: Journal of gender studies. Volume 27:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 313
• Page End: 322
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Inclusive masculinities -- homosexuality -- adolescent boys -- football (soccer) -- elite sports -- youth academy; Feminism -- Periodicals; Women -- Periodicals; Gender identity -- Periodicals; Sex role -- Periodicals; Sexual orientation -- Periodicals; Féminisme -- Périodiques; Femmes -- Périodiques; Identité sexuelle -- Périodiques; Rôle selon le sexe -- Périodiques; Orientation sexuelle -- Périodiques; 305.3
• DOI: 10.1080/09589236.2017.1391073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-9236

Abstract

Abstract: Drawing on data generated from semi-structured, one-to-one interviews in 2012, this article focuses on the attitudinal disposition toward homosexuality of 12 English academy level football players aged 14–15. Results highlight the presence of progressive attitudes toward homosexuality even though some of the youth feel they lack the agency to contest homophobia when espoused in their schools. Using a blend of two dominating masculinities theories, we use these interviews to highlight that boys in this setting are best understood as a complex imbrication of inclusivity yet socially-passive acceptance. We suggest that boys of this age are now primed for learning agency to contest the social marginalization of others.