An Analysis of Cultural and Social Attitudes Toward Women's Participation in Sports
Subject Areas : Sport Management
shahla Rafei
1
,
Elham Moshkelgosha
2
*
,
Ahmadreza Askari
3
1 - 1. Department of Sport Sciences, Mo.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 - 1. Department of Sport Sciences, Mo.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
3 - 1. Department of Sport Sciences, Mo.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Keywords: Causal Layered Analysis, Health-Oriented Sports, Participation, Socio-Cultural Attitudes,
Abstract :
Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct an analytical examination of the cultural and social attitudes affecting women's participation in sports, utilizing the Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) method.
Methods: This research was fundamental in its orientation, inductive in its approach, and qualitative in terms of data collection. Participants consisted of experts and specialists from diverse fields including sports science, sports sociology, sports psychology, nutrition, policymaking in women's sports, and media. Sampling was performed purposively, and 21 interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was carried out using the Causal Layered Analysis method.
Results: The results indicated that social factors—such as a lack of suitable sports infrastructure for women, traditional attitudes and gender stereotypes, a shortage of successful female sports role models, and weaknesses in public awareness campaigns and education regarding social norms—alongside cultural factors—including insufficient awareness of the benefits of physical activity, the dominance of the "thinness at any cost" discourse, a weak culture of public sports participation, and inadequate media representation of women's sports—significantly impact women's participation in sports
Conclusions: In the near future, several key trends are anticipated to emerge within women's health-oriented sports: increased access to sports facilities, enhanced public awareness and shifting attitudes towards women's sports, and the adoption of innovative technologies that facilitate and motivate active participation in sports.
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