ABSTRACT

Introduction Bordo (1993) explains femininity as a socially constructed concept that defines how women should look and act and what they should value. Although there may be multiple acceptable femininities with regard to one’s situational context (culture, location, time period, race, class, sexual orientation, etc.) (Chow 1999), Lenskyj (1994) argues that there is one correct version of femininity, which is termed hegemonic femininity. This femininity has been defined by the white, heterosexual, middle-to-high-class cohort of women (Ussher 1997) and includes traits such as submissiveness, dependency, concern over physical appearance and emotional ability (Broverman et al. 1970). It is hegemonic femininity that Butler (1990) argues womenmust perform to be considered real women and avoid the consequences of not doing so. Kane and Greendorfer (1994) state that despite the increased media coverage of sportswomen post-Title IX, the type of coverage still works to enforce this hegemonic version of heterosexual femininity, which reinforces the gender hierarchy.