This article explores the potential for martial arts to support transformation and community building for women. Findings indicate women can derive many individual benefits from learning martial arts. Yet, the benefits must extend beyond the individual level to create social change. Based on an evaluation of literature on women's experiences…

Despite the growing popularity of women's ice hockey in North America, players continue to face limitations because of the prohibition of body checking. In this paper, we argue from a liberal feminist philosophical perspective that this prohibition reinforces existing traditional stereotypes of female athletes. Because the women's game does not…

Research analysing the operation of power within sport and physical activity has exposed the marginalisation and exclusion of women's sport in explicit and institutionalised ways. However, for women in recreational and alternative physical activities like surfing, sporting experiences lie outside institutionalised structures, thus requiring…

In 1914 opportunities for working-class women's sports participation were limited and peripheral, but the 1980s, policy reforms resulted in the then Sports Council identifying women as a "target group". Subsequently the notion that barriers to women's participation are issues to be identified and resolved has become commonplace in…

Introduces theme issue of this journal on the psychosocial influences on girls and women in sport and physical activity, focusing on the work of Dorothy V. Harris who battled for equal sporting opportunities and benefits for females. The papers are written from a feminist perspective. (SM)

Considers constructs and operation of homophobic discourse surrounding female athletes, employing Foucauldian notions of discipline and discourse and feminist critiques of the gendered body to depict female athletes as nonconformist to the discipline of femininity. The paper argues that homophobic discourse exists in response to this nonconformity…

This paper uses Peggy McIntosh's (1983) interactive phase typology as a descriptive model within which to characterize contemporary sport with respect to certain gender issues, accepting gender as dynamically and culturally constituted. The paper discusses possibilities for transforming sport by enhancing the appreciation of sport and enriching…

This study examined the sport participation patterns of 12 African American female collegiate student athletes using qualitative methods. Data were collected at a large midwestern university during the 1998-99 academic year. An emergent theme was the effect of silencing by the media, athletic administrators, coaches, and other student athletes on…

Reviews women's struggles for equal representation in the Olympic Games on the International Olympic Committee and the national committees, and as participants in the games. Discusses problems with the language in the Olympic Charter, governance of the games, and the role of education on all levels. (SM)

The article discusses women's roles in the Olympics as participants or leaders, noting the International Olympic Committee's efforts to consider women in sport leadership positions over the years. It presents frames of reference and implementation strategies to consider in meeting goals of equal opportunity for women throughout the Olympic…

This newsletter reports on recent legal and social developments relating to women's post-secondary education, university hiring practices and professional achievements. Information for ordering the reports, recommended articles, books and other published materials is listed in most of the brief articles. The newsletter addresses current news in…

Historically, women's recreation and leisure programs have been inferior to men's. The article reviews the history of recreation programming for females, examines the effect of contemporary feminism, then discusses current and future inclusive programming. Includes references. (SM)

Title IX protects individuals from sex discrimination in any educational activity receiving federal funding. A lawyer from the National Women's Law Center answers questions about Title IX from coaches, teachers, and administrators at all levels. The questions focus on women and athletics. (SM)

This occasional newsletter summarizes a variety of activities concerning women on campuses and in the job market across the United States. Topics covered in the newsletter are affirmative action and employment, education of women, coeducation and admissions, and sports. A number of specific reports of activities are found under each topic. For…

Argues that a male perspective, valuing individual achievement through aggressive competition, has dominated physical education. This agenda has marginalized other pedagogies and sports such as gymnastics and dance. Supports this interpretation with an analysis of policy documents, archival material, interviews, and journal articles. (MJP)