The Influence of Gender Dynamics on Women’s Experiences in Martial Arts: A Scoping Review

Lindsay, Rosie; Horne, Jo; Shaw, Jill; Kentzer, Nichola and Bacon, Wendi (2023). The Influence of Gender Dynamics on Women’s Experiences in Martial Arts: A Scoping Review. International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41978-023-00140-2

Abstract

Women are underrepresented in martial arts participation compared to men. The aim of this scoping review was to understand how gender dynamics influence women’s experiences of martial arts, in order to inform future interventions and policies which could increase the participation of women in martial arts. Fifty-three studies were eligible for inclusion and thematic analysis was used to identify they key themes across the literature. The seven themes identified included: martial arts as a tool for improving gender relations, use of martial arts to challenge societal gender norms, women’s empowerment through martial arts training, problematic mixed-gender contact, expectation for women to conform to gender norms, martial arts as men’s space, and patriarchy in martial arts. Overall whilst there was evidence some women had positive experiences of gender dynamics in martial arts, and that women’s experiences are improving over time, the review highlighted that women can be excluded from martial arts as a result of traditional hierarchies, gender norms and problems associated with mixed-gender contact.

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