Masculine Women
defined by their genetic converses
Pre-existing social notions revolving around hegemonic ideas of masculinity have molded the perceptions of femininity in the rugby world.
Bodies in this sport are sources of power--they provide the means to break through defenses, perform intense offensive plays, and tackle opponents effectively. A traditionally "male" sport has always been thought to revolve around rugby, in which players wear no pads to protect them from possible injury.
Women are not particularly fragile individuals. There is no amount of protection needed on those fields that isn't needed in everyday life, aside from perhaps a concussion cap (common in most sports in most contact sports), and this association of weaker genders is part of the gender role conflict that arises.
Instead of focusing on success as an athlete, players can become consumed with these expectations of who they are supposed to be and how they're supposed to act. Success in the rugby realm does not follow over into normalized social situations.
Many straight female ruggers will overtly display their femininity by wearing makeup, showering after matches, and keeping their hair long. Participation in such a 'masculine activity' leaves many with the impression that the athletes are homosexual, and these actions are an effort to combat such ideas. While many who do in fact identify as lesbian do not find much issue with this, in a spectrum of gender and sexual identities, there is a greater issue with this focus on the male-female gender binary.
Bodies in this sport are sources of power--they provide the means to break through defenses, perform intense offensive plays, and tackle opponents effectively. A traditionally "male" sport has always been thought to revolve around rugby, in which players wear no pads to protect them from possible injury.
Women are not particularly fragile individuals. There is no amount of protection needed on those fields that isn't needed in everyday life, aside from perhaps a concussion cap (common in most sports in most contact sports), and this association of weaker genders is part of the gender role conflict that arises.
Instead of focusing on success as an athlete, players can become consumed with these expectations of who they are supposed to be and how they're supposed to act. Success in the rugby realm does not follow over into normalized social situations.
Many straight female ruggers will overtly display their femininity by wearing makeup, showering after matches, and keeping their hair long. Participation in such a 'masculine activity' leaves many with the impression that the athletes are homosexual, and these actions are an effort to combat such ideas. While many who do in fact identify as lesbian do not find much issue with this, in a spectrum of gender and sexual identities, there is a greater issue with this focus on the male-female gender binary.