Authenticity and Ethics in Youth Soccer Coaches' Professional Identity Construction

• In Event: Life of a Leader: Race, Gender, and Alternate Perspectives

Abstract

Professional identity construction has traditionally been framed as a dichotomous struggle in which individuals suppress their authentic value system to conform with professional standards. Given the fluidity of workers’ multiple sub-identities, however, individuals risk facing identity conflicts that challenge their professional selves. Accordingly, we ask how intrapersonal professional conflicts shape individuals’ professional ethics. Field observations and interviews with Israeli Youth Soccer Coaches (n=25) revealed discrepancies between coaches’ competitive inclination (relating to their former athletic identity) and their professional identity as educators. Attempting to reconcile the conflicts, the coaches implemented: “Instrumental”, “Dialectical”, “Ideological” and “Authentic” forms of professionalism. Challenging professionalism as a unidimensional form, we advance professional identity construction as a long-term and dynamic process from the ground up.

Authors

• Reut Liraz, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

• Ori Eyal, Hebrew University of Jerusalem