Research Article
8 September 2016

Trampled Autonomy: Women, Athleticism, and Health

Publication: IJFAB: International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics
Volume 9, Number 2

Abstract

Philosophical analysis has paid scant attention to the gender inequalities women athletes face compared to the myriad ways in which social science shows that athleticism values masculinity and devalues femininity. Athletic endeavors diverging from gendered norms are sexualized, feminized, devalued, and delegitimized. A philosophical analysis reveals deep and serious double binds constraining women's autonomy to engage and succeed in sport and thus to participate in a major social institution granting status and recognition. More importantly, these constraints to autonomy undermine women's choices to promote and preserve health.

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Information

Published In

Go to International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics
IJFAB: International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics
Volume 9Number 2Fall 2016
Pages: 67 - 91

History

Published in print: Fall 2016
Published online: 8 September 2016

Keywords:

  1. Feminine athletes
  2. feminine sport
  3. philosophy of sport
  4. gender in sport
  5. gendered autonomy

Authors

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Sylvia Burrow
Biography: Sylvia Burrow is associate professor of philosophy at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Her research addresses autonomy as both embodied and relational, grounding this work in feminist ethical and political contexts that include medical relationships, violence against women, and self-defense.

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