Posted: February 9th, 2023

Sporting Masculinities: A Comparison of Gramscian and Foucauldian concepts of power.

Sporting Masculinities: A Comparison of Gramscian and Foucauldian concepts of power.
Sporting masculinities refer to the ways in which gender and masculinity are constructed and performed within the context of sport. Both Gramscian and Foucauldian concepts of power can be used to understand and analyze the ways in which sporting masculinities are shaped and maintained.
Gramsci’s concept of hegemony refers to the way in which dominant groups and ideologies maintain their power and influence within society. In the context of sporting masculinities, this can be seen in the way that dominant forms of masculinity are promoted and normalized within the sports world. For example, dominant forms of masculinity within sport often emphasize traits such as strength, aggression, competitiveness, and physicality, and these traits are often associated with success in sport. This promotes and reinforces certain ideals of masculinity within the sports world and can have a significant impact on how masculinity is constructed and performed within the context of sport.
Foucault’s concept of power refers to the way in which power is exercised and maintained through the production and dissemination of knowledge and discourse. In the context of sporting masculinities, this can be seen in the way that dominant narratives and discourses around masculinity and sport are produced and disseminated through the media, advertising, and other forms of cultural representation. For example, the media often portrays athletes as strong, aggressive, and dominant, which reinforces certain ideals of masculinity and can shape the way that masculinity is constructed and performed within the context of sport.
Both Gramscian and Foucauldian concepts of power can be used to understand and analyze the ways in which sporting masculinities are shaped and maintained. For example, Gramscian concepts of hegemony can be used to understand the ways in which dominant forms of masculinity are promoted and normalized within the sports world, while Foucauldian concepts of power can be used to understand the ways in which dominant narratives and discourses around masculinity and sport are produced and disseminated.
However, it is important to note that these concepts of power are not mutually exclusive, and they can be used in conjunction with one another to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the ways in which sporting masculinities are shaped and maintained. For example, the production and dissemination of dominant narratives and discourses around masculinity and sport can contribute to the maintenance of hegemony, while the promotion and normalization of dominant forms of masculinity within the sports world can be seen as a form of power exercised through the production and dissemination of knowledge and discourse.
Both Gramscian and Foucauldian concepts of power can be used to understand and analyze the ways in which sporting masculinities are shaped and maintained. These concepts can be used in conjunction with one another to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the ways in which power is exercised and maintained within the context of sport.