Degree Name

MA (Master of Arts)

Program

Sociology

Date of Award

5-2004

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Martha Copp

Committee Members

Scott H. Beck, Wendell H. Hester

Abstract

This thesis examines how and why young female athletes participate in the competitive organized sport of softball. Based on participant observation and interviews with coaches and players of Team Z, this study examines how parents and coaches influence females to participate in athletics through incentives and punishments. This thesis also examines the cultural assumptions about work that organized sports introduce to female athletes. Furthermore, the study discusses how parents and competitive sports organizations perpetuate the existence of male domination in sports and in society more generally.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

Included in

Sociology Commons

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