Author Information
Chia Hao Liu, National Taipei University of Technology, TaiwanHsiao-Fen Liu, National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan
Abstract
This study examines the gender characteristics of sports activities and how students perceive and develop gender consciousness in sports. Through open-ended interviews with high school male students and phenomenological reduction methodology, the research investigates this phenomenon from three perspectives. First, at the sensory level, students perceive gender characteristics in sports through external factors such as media coverage, facilities, attire, and competition formats. For instance, extensive media coverage of men's basketball contributes to its perception as a masculine sport. Second, the study identifies two distinct spatial dimensions in sports: "wild space" and "rational space." Wild space manifests in intense confrontations and emotional release, as seen in basketball and football, while rational space emerges in more civilized and controlled behaviors, as exemplified in tennis and badminton. Third, at the embodied knowledge level, through direct participation and experience, students deeply perceive the diverse qualities inherent in sports, such as yin-yang duality, hardness-softness spectrum, and the integration of power and beauty. Volleyball serves as an example, combining powerful spikes with delicate setting techniques. The findings suggest that students' understanding of gender in sports varies significantly, depending on their degree of "engagement" with sports activities. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of encouraging participants to experience sports comprehensively and appreciate their multifaceted aesthetic qualities, rather than being confined by superficial gender stereotypes.
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