Bonding and Abandoning: Gender, Social Interaction, and Relationships in Fantasy Sports. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kissane, Rebecca Joyce; Winslow, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Social currents. Volume 3:Number 3(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 256
• Page End: 272
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: sports -- sex and gender -- family; Sociology -- Periodicals; 301
• DOI: 10.1177/2329496515616821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2329-4965

Abstract

Using data on 396 fantasy sports participants, we explore how fantasy sports participation impacts players' perceptions of their relationships with others, with attention to how and why outcomes are sexed and gendered. We find male players are more likely than female players to report bonding with friends through their participation, particularly via highly masculinized bragging and "smack talk" with others in their male-dominated leagues. Female players also discuss fantasy sports as a means of relationship building or strengthening, particularly with friends in their leagues or men in their lives; but our analyses suggest they may trade off social connections, as women who are highly involved in other groups are less likely to use fantasy sports to connect with others. Finally, male players, more so than their female counterparts, indicate fantasy sports participation strains relationships with their partners and families, an effect seemingly attributable to their greater emotional and mental investment in fantasy sports.