Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Are We Really Feminists In Sports?: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Maternity Policy

Correia, Anna LU (2023) SOLM02 20221
Department of Sociology of Law
Abstract
This thesis is aiming to analyze the discourses of maternity leave policy amongst female elite athletes, which can be identified by using an interview of the New York Times of Alysia Montaño. This thesis is focused on aiming to understanding how power structures are entangled within the identity of ‘the mother’ and of the ‘elite athlete’. After analyzing these power structures, it will be analyzed how policies are constructed within these identified power structures, which is where we will look at how these power structures interact with policymaking. Furthermore, through social constructivism, we will be looking at also how identity takes a role within policymaking. Where the aim is to showcase how legal changes can be made within... (More)
This thesis is aiming to analyze the discourses of maternity leave policy amongst female elite athletes, which can be identified by using an interview of the New York Times of Alysia Montaño. This thesis is focused on aiming to understanding how power structures are entangled within the identity of ‘the mother’ and of the ‘elite athlete’. After analyzing these power structures, it will be analyzed how policies are constructed within these identified power structures, which is where we will look at how these power structures interact with policymaking. Furthermore, through social constructivism, we will be looking at also how identity takes a role within policymaking. Where the aim is to showcase how legal changes can be made within different institutions. This thesis concludes that there are inherited patriarchal structures within sports which affect Alysia Montaño’s identity, which is understood through the concept of hegemonic masculinity and the social construction of the identity of the ‘woman’ and ‘athlete’. Furthermore, in order to combat intersectionality’s lens fatigue the IBPA Framework has been employed, to create a transformative approach to maternity policy. Where I am proposing, in order to pressure and implement such policies it can be effective to create labor organizations focused on athletes. Moreover, in order to implement such a policy, I am proposing to shift this responsibility to sponsors and institutions such as the USOC, where paid maternity leave clauses should be added in the contract. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Correia, Anna LU
supervisor
organization
course
SOLM02 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Maternity Leave, Policy, Power, Sports, Patriarchy
language
English
id
9106901
date added to LUP
2023-01-19 16:48:04
date last changed
2023-01-19 16:48:04
@misc{9106901,
  abstract     = {{This thesis is aiming to analyze the discourses of maternity leave policy amongst female elite athletes, which can be identified by using an interview of the New York Times of Alysia Montaño. This thesis is focused on aiming to understanding how power structures are entangled within the identity of ‘the mother’ and of the ‘elite athlete’. After analyzing these power structures, it will be analyzed how policies are constructed within these identified power structures, which is where we will look at how these power structures interact with policymaking. Furthermore, through social constructivism, we will be looking at also how identity takes a role within policymaking. Where the aim is to showcase how legal changes can be made within different institutions. This thesis concludes that there are inherited patriarchal structures within sports which affect Alysia Montaño’s identity, which is understood through the concept of hegemonic masculinity and the social construction of the identity of the ‘woman’ and ‘athlete’. Furthermore, in order to combat intersectionality’s lens fatigue the IBPA Framework has been employed, to create a transformative approach to maternity policy. Where I am proposing, in order to pressure and implement such policies it can be effective to create labor organizations focused on athletes. Moreover, in order to implement such a policy, I am proposing to shift this responsibility to sponsors and institutions such as the USOC, where paid maternity leave clauses should be added in the contract.}},
  author       = {{Correia, Anna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Are We Really Feminists In Sports?: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Maternity Policy}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}