Soccer as Resistance: Cultivating Inclusive Masculinities through Lugones' "Playfulness" in Mission District

• In Event: Reimagining Resistance: Playfulness as Decolonial Praxis in Marginalized Communities

Abstract

This study explores how communal sports spaces nurture alternative forms of masculinity and foster a sense of belonging among marginalized communities in the rapidly gentrifying Mission District of San Francisco. Utilizing María Lugones' concepts of "Playfulness" and "World"-Traveling, the study investigates how prioritizing joy, humor, and inclusive participation in these spaces challenges hegemonic masculinity and promotes non-traditional models of masculinity. Through close readings of interview excerpts and participant observation, it examines how participants' experiences embody "world"-travelling practices informed by a playful attitude.
Theoretical Framework.
The study is grounded in the theories of situated learning (Lave & Wenger, 1991), communities of practice (Wenger, 1999), and inclusive masculinity (Anderson, 2009). It incorporates María Lugones' (1987; 2003) framework of "Playfulness" and "World"-Traveling, which encourages people to be playful in their "world"-travelling as a means of opening creative possibilities for coalition building. It aligns with bell hooks' (2004) perspective on recuperative masculinities and provides a lens through which to examine how participants in communal sports spaces engage in cross-cultural understanding and challenge oppressive structures.
Data Sources.
This study employs a qualitative ethnographic approach, using participant observation, interviews, and field notes as primary data sources. Data was collected through convenience sampling and semi-structured interviews (Brenner, 2006). The research methodology focused on how participants navigated and constructed meaning within the communal sports space. Field notes were taken during observations and translated from Spanish to English when necessary. The study also incorporated insights from informal conversations and group discussions that occurred naturally in the field.
Results. The findings suggest that communal sports spaces serve as sites of resistance against the marginalizing effects of neoliberal urban policies (Harvey, 2006). Participants engaged in what Lugones (1987) describes as playful "world"-traveling, willfully identifying with and recognizing others across cultural and social boundaries. This allowed for the cultivation of more inclusive and humanizing forms of masculinity that challenge dominant narratives of aggression and competition (Connell, 1995; Anderson, 2009). The prioritization of joy, humor, and inclusive participation fostered an environment where participants could explore alternative ways of being and relating to one another. The study revealed how nicknames, inclusive language, and collective problem-solving contributed to creating a supportive and empowering community.
Significance.
This study underscores the importance of preserving and advocating for communal sports spaces as vital social infrastructures in the face of gentrification and displacement (Klinenberg, 2018). By applying Lugones' concepts of "Playfulness" and "World"-Traveling to these spaces, the research offers valuable insights for transforming educational practices to better support the social and emotional well-being of marginalized youth. The study demonstrates how cultivating a playful attitude in community spaces can facilitate cross-cultural understanding, challenge oppressive structures, and promote more inclusive forms of masculinity. These findings have implications for urban planning, education, and community development, suggesting ways to create more equitable and humanizing spaces in rapidly changing urban environments. The research contributes to the broader discussion of how Lugones' framework can influence educational projects and foster more inclusive and empowering learning environments for marginalized communities.

Author

• Erick Orihuela, University of California - Santa Cruz