Male Youth-Athletes as Victims of Sexual Violence in Recommended Sports-Related Young Adult Literature

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Being Seen and Constructing Possibilities: Analyzing Children’s and Young Adult Literature (Table 3)

Abstract

Focused on three recommended works of sports-related young adult literature—Swagger (Deuker, 2013), Leverage (Cohen, 2011), and Boy Toy (Lyga, 2007)—this study examines the depiction of male youth-athletes who suffer sexual violence and the portrayal of victimhood. The male youth-athletes victimized in these stories compete in distinct sports—basketball, gymnastics, and baseball—and are presented with characteristics their assailants exploit, whether it is passivity and simplicity, smallness and effeminateness, or maturity and aptitude. Victimhood is portrayed as a shameful experience that culminates in suicide more often than not, and it is also marked by violence. Ultimately, this study underscores the value of literature that accurately conveys the gravity of sexual violence and yet also offers hope for survivors.

Authors

• Mark A. Lewis, James Madison University

• Luke Rodesiler, Purdue University - Fort Wayne