Overview

Based on interviews with a diverse group of former high school, college, and professional athletes, Power at Play examines the important role sports play in defining masculinity for American men.

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9780807041055

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An examination of the heartland of masculinity. . . Power at Play tells us about [sport's] compelling allure, its ability to bestow self-confidence and social status. . . but also [about] the dark side of the athletic subculture. A work of clarity and insight. -Gender and Society An eye opener about sport and its meaning. . . Loaded with valuable insights. -San Francisco Chronicle The first examination of American jock culture that makes sense to me . . . Parents of young kids may find it especially interesting. -Whole Earth Review

Fuzzy, argot-driven tract on men and sport. Messner (Sociology/Univ. of Southern California) introduces his feminist-inspired analysis with the premise that neither sports nor masculinity are biological in essence but are social creations. For his study, Messner selected 30 male former athletes who, he says, based their identity on athletic roles and therefore...had 'athletic careers' (although a dozen did not play past high school). Using self-proclaimed feminist methodology ( both interviewer and interviewee should benefit ), Messner asked his subjects to talk about their sports experiences. Although he worried he was getting a better deal than his subjects ( The intimate information...would help me complete my Ph.D. degree, write a book, and launch my career as a sociologist ), he decided that the interviewees were receiving a learning experience. With his small sample - unhindered by standard research methodologies of random selection, structured interviews, etc. - Messner buttresses his conception of feminist psychoanalytic theory. Taking snippets from the interviews, he discusses topics such as: Playing Hurt (athletes have an alienated relationship with their bodies); Recreational Drugs ( Alcohol...can give men permission to 'open up' ); Sexuality and Sexual Identity ( the erotic bond between men is neutralized through overt homophobia and [by using] women as objects of sexual talk and practice ); and The Challenge of Female Athleticism ( its challenge to sport's construction of hegemonic masculinity has been largely defused ). Not surprisingly, the conclusion of Messner's research is that, for sport to be humanized, boys and girls must be nurtured equally with the work shared by both parents, and all our social institutions reorganized to maximize equality. An ideological document masquerading as a research study, focused solely on the downside of sports and ignoring its benefits. (Kirkus Reviews)

An examination of the heartland of masculinity. . . Power at Play tells us about [sport's] compelling allure, its ability to bestow self-confidence and social status. . . but also [about] the dark side of the athletic subculture. A work of clarity and insight. -- Gender and Society <br><br> An eye opener about sport and its meaning. . . Loaded with valuable insights. -- San Francisco Chronicle <br><br> The first examination of American jock culture that makes sense to me . . . Parents of young kids may find it especially interesting. -- Whole Earth Review

An examination of the heartland of masculinity. . . Power at Play tells us about [sport's] compelling allure, its ability to bestow self-confidence and social status. . . but also [about] the dark side of the athletic subculture. A work of clarity and insight. &#8212; Gender and Society <br> An eye opener about sport and its meaning. . . Loaded with valuable insights. &#8212; San Francisco Chronicle <br> The first examination of American jock culture that makes sense to me . . . Parents of young kids may find it especially interesting. &#8212; Whole Earth Review

Author Information

Michael A. Messneris associate professor of sociology at the University of Southern California.

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