Continuity, change and complexity in the performance of masculinity among elite young footballers in England.
Following recent research evidencing that young men are redefining the essential components of what it is to be a man, this paper draws on qualitative interviews with 22 elite-level, English Premier League academy level football (soccer) players to investigate their performances and understandings of masculinity in relation to decreasing homohysteria. Even in this gender-segregated, near-total institution, these working-class, non-educationally aspiring adolescents evidence an attenuated performance of 'maleness' and improved attitudinal disposition toward homosexuality. Congruent with insights developed by inclusive masculinity scholars, respondents maintained emotional closeness and physical tactility with male teammates and friends. These more inclusive attitudes and homosocial behaviours were, however, slightly more conservative than in other recent research. We close by explaining this variation with reference to theoretical apparatus' provided by Goffman and Bourdieu to advance theoretical debates about social class and masculinities.
['Roberts|Steven|S|', 'Anderson|Eric|E|', 'Magrath|Rory|R|']
D000293:Adolescent D000294:Adolescent Behavior D056352:Athletes D001290:Attitude D002648:Child D004739:England D018451:Homosexuality, Male D006801:Humans D007398:Interpersonal Relations D007407:Interviews as Topic D008297:Male D057228:Masculinity D000297:Psychology, Adolescent D012916:Soccer D012923:Social Class
‘Masculinities’ ‘football’ ‘inclusive masculinity’ ‘social change’ ‘working class’