Las p(otreras) tomadas: (re)thinking, (re)defining, and (re)creating spaces, spheres, and dimensions in Argentine ‘fútbol’

• In Event: Gendered Goals: Angry Men, Pretty Women, and Futbol

Abstract

The space in which Argentine identity of ‘fútbol (masculino)’ is generated, shaped, and negotiated has been the real and/or imaginary space known as ‘potreros’: arenas where boys freely play ‘fútbol’. Historically, women have been excluded from ‘potreros’ causing their marginalization of playing the sports. This process of gender production through socialization has given women the place of spectators banning them from field. However, for over 20 years now, women have increased their participation in ‘fútbol’ by occupying spaces, spheres, and dimensions within both ‘futbol-juego’ –the possibility of playing ‘fútbol’ with males or other females– and ‘fútbol-system’ –the opportunity to be part of the power structure of ‘fútbol’ in Argentina. Thus, I explore and attempt to establish spaces, spheres and dimensions of ‘fútbol’ as a starting point to (re)think, (re)define and (re)create strategies of incorporation, acceptance and social recognition through a theoretical framework of feminisms, masculinities, identities, and (re)shaping of social boundaries in terms of gender.
Moreover, I develop the concept of ‘otreras’ from the traditional ‘potreros’. Here, I drop the ‘patriarchal-P’ to establish a theoretical –open and free– space to play ‘fútbol’. This space of acceptance acknowledges and legitimizes the presence of women in ‘fútbol’.
Women are operating in both ‘fútbol-juego’ and ‘fútbol-system’; but despite their achievements not enough has been generated to support and enhance their efforts to reach legitimacy and recognition. I addition, I correlate this framework of ‘otreras’ with ‘Fútbol Callejero’. This social intervention targeting both girls and boys allows both genders to practice and play ‘fútbol’ together in a sort of co-ed league.
In all, this paper adds to the ongoing process of legitimization of women in ‘fútbol’, providing another alternative in decolonizing ‘fútbol’ in Argentina.

Author

• Ildefonso Correas Apelanz, Universtity at Albany