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Women and Sport

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Social Issues in Sport

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Abstract

This chapter examines women’s involvement in sport. It is generally assumed that women do not take part in sport as much as men and are also limited in the kinds of sport they play. The first part of the chapter therefore sets out to examine the extent and nature of female participation in sport in Britain. Then a brief description of the physical differences between males and females prepares the way for consideration of the performance potential of men and women. The main part of the chapter explores various factors that can inhibit women’s involvement in sport. Prompted by researchers with a critical feminist perspective, this topic has generated extensive debate and a dynamic situation is revealed wherein female involvement is affected by a complex interplay of historical, cultural and psychosocial influences. Finally, there is a review of initiatives and developments that aim to improve sporting opportunities for women.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Hull, UK

    Mike Sleap (Lecturer in Education)

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  1. Mike Sleap
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Copyright information

© 1998 Mike Sleap

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Cite this chapter

Sleap, M. (1998). Women and Sport. In: Social Issues in Sport. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230375734_5

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