Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Surviving rather than thriving: Understanding the experiences of women coaches using a theory of gendered social well-being

Norman, Leanne; Rankin-Wright, Alexandra

Surviving rather than thriving: Understanding the experiences of women coaches using a theory of gendered social well-being Thumbnail


Authors

Leanne Norman

Alexandra Rankin-Wright



Abstract

In shifting our gaze to the sociological impact of being in the minority, the purpose of this study was to substantiate a model of gendered social well-being to appraise women coaches’ circumstances, experiences and challenges as embedded within the social structures and relations of their profession. This is drawn on in-depth interviews with a sample of head women coaches within the UK. The findings demonstrate that personal lives, relationships, social and family commitments were sidelined by many of the participants in order to meet the expectations of being a (woman) coach. We locate these experiences in the organisational practices of high performance sport which hinder women coaches from having meaningful control over their lives. The complexities of identity are also revealed through the interplay of gender with (dis)ability, age and whiteness as evidence of hegemonic femininity within the coaching profession. Consequently, for many women, coaching is experienced as a ‘developmental dead-end’.

Citation

Norman, L., & Rankin-Wright, A. (2018). Surviving rather than thriving: Understanding the experiences of women coaches using a theory of gendered social well-being. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 53(4), 424-450. https://doi.org/10.1177/1012690216660283

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 26, 2016
Online Publication Date Jul 27, 2016
Publication Date Jun 1, 2018
Deposit Date Aug 24, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal International Review for the Sociology of Sport
Print ISSN 1012-6902
Electronic ISSN 1461-7218
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 53
Issue 4
Pages 424-450
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1012690216660283
Related Public URLs http://eprints.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/2793/

Files

Accepted Journal Article (439 Kb)
PDF

Copyright Statement
Norman, Leanne & Rankin-Wright, Alexandra (2018). Surviving rather than thriving: Understanding the experiences of women coaches using a theory of gendered social well-being. International Review for the Sociology of Sport 53(4): 424-450. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.




You might also like



Downloadable Citations