Precarious Masculinity and Rape Culture in Canadian University Sport

• In Event: 033 - Section on Crime, Law, and Deviance Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 13. Gender and Sexual Violence

Abstract

Using a case study approach, this paper explores the role of masculine identity formation and maintenance as an important contributing factor in understanding athlete-perpetrated sexual violence in Canadian university sport. A concept of “precarious masculinity” is introduced to convey the unstable nature of masculinity in sport that is largely dependant on constant external validation of coaches, teammates, and fans, which can vanish in an instant and requires continuous masculinity work to maintain. Combined with the totalizing nature of competitive sport, confused conceptions of consent arising from aspects of sport participation, and a unique relationship athletes have to their often-injured bodies, it is argued that there are high risk factors for athlete-perpetrated sexual violence in Canadian university sport.

Author

• Curtis A. Fogel, Lakehead University Orillia