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Towards the “Undoing” of Gender in Mixed-Sex Martial Arts and Combat Sports

Author

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  • Alex Channon

    (Faculty of Education and Health, University of Greenwich, Mansion Site, Bexley Road, Eltham, London SE9 2PQ, UK)

Abstract

This paper addresses sex integration in martial arts and combat sports, discussing the implications of mixed-sex training for challenging orthodox Western constructions of gender. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 37 long-term martial arts practitioners from around the English East Midlands between 2007–2011, the paper argues that restrictive, essentialist and hierarchal conceptions of sex difference can be challenged through integrated training practices. The paper advocates the “undoing” of gender in this regard as helping to build a more progressive, inclusive and liberal form of physical culture, seen as a key potential of sex-integrated training. To that end, the paper makes a number of proposals for instructors and practitioners interested in developing such inclusive environments in their own clubs and training settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Channon, 2014. "Towards the “Undoing” of Gender in Mixed-Sex Martial Arts and Combat Sports," Societies, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:4:y:2014:i:4:p:587-605:d:41560
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anderson, Eric D., 2009. "The Maintenance of Masculinity Among the Stakeholders of Sport," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 3-14, February.
    2. Eric D. Anderson, 2009. "The Maintenance of Masculinity Among the Stakeholders of Sport," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 3-14, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Favor Campbell & Myra B. Haverda & John P. Bartkowski, 2021. "Rival Bodies: Negotiating Gender and Embodiment in Women’s Bikini and Figure Competitions," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-36, February.
    2. Lorenzo Pedrini, 2018. "‘Boxing Is Our Business’: The Embodiment of a Leftist Identity in Boxe Popolare," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-29, September.

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