Abstract
An in-depth study of the links between space, place, and gender is necessary to understand the dynamics of sporting spaces. Gender relations are spatially organized in Indian society, that is, dominant positions are occupied by men whereas subordinate positions by women, which also resonates within the sporting field. The ‘myth of female frailty’ became a defining feature of ideas about women, gender, and physical activity. (Theberge, 1989) On the other hand, the ‘contested terrain’ (Messner, 1988) of women’s sports has seen tremendous growth in India in recent days due to certain women athletes’ grit and resistance. Thus, this paper intends to study how Indian women athletes entered into this masculine space, created their own space and survived along with their male peers. “The Day I Became a Runner: A Women’s History of India Through the Lens of Sport,” a collection of biographies of women runners in post-Independence India, by Sohini Chattopadhyay is taken for textual analysis. Doreen Massey’s Gender and Space theory explores the dynamic relationship between space, place, and social relations, emphasizing the fluid and relational nature of space. Applying this theory allows for a nuanced exploration of the socio-spatial dynamics within the world of athletics in India, shedding light on how gender shapes both the physical and social dimensions of this activity.
Author Information
Abish Jebeshy R, Central University of Tamil Nadu, India
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress