A Qualitative Study Investigating the Influence of Sports Media on the Role of British Association Footballer's Wives and the Structure of Masuclinity (sic)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the fundamental themes concerning the gender order, the perceptions of footballer’s wives and partners in the media, the sexualisation of the female body and the structure of masculinity. A qualitative method was appropriately selected for this study where research data was collected through the process of content analysis. Both British broadsheet and tabloid style newspapers were collected along with magazines to provide a rich anthology of data. The media texts were examined through an interpretive approach, highlighting new and previous themes that emerged.

The investigation critically analysed and examined how the sports media influences and shapes the role of the footballer’s wife through the sexualisation of the female body, and the knock on effect this has on the structure of idealised hegemonic masculinity. The results suggested that the portrayal of footballer’s wives in the media through a predominantly sexualised role reinforces and emphasises the domination of masculinity within football and society. Further analysis and research recommendations are also discussed within this study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the fundamental themes concerning the gender order, the perceptions of footballer’s wives and partners in the media, the sexualisation of the female body and the structure of masculinity. A qualitative method was appropriately selected for this study where research data was collected through the process of content analysis. Both British broadsheet and tabloid style newspapers were collected along with magazines to provide a rich anthology of data. The media texts were examined through an interpretive approach, highlighting new and previous themes that emerged.

The investigation critically analysed and examined how the sports media influences and shapes the role of the footballer’s wife through the sexualisation of the female body, and the knock on effect this has on the structure of idealised hegemonic masculinity. The results suggested that the portrayal of footballer’s wives in the media through a predominantly sexualised role reinforces and emphasises the domination of masculinity within football and society. Further analysis and research recommendations are also discussed within this study.