Gender-role conflict theory has suggested that women athletes will experience role conflict because they are attempting to enact both feminine and masculine gender roles, yet research findings have shown mixed support for this notion. The purpose of this study was to explore how women rugby players negotiate gender-role expectations and conflict…

Subjects described themselves and the ideal man, woman, and person on unidimensional scales of masculinity derived from the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Men were influenced more than women by the "target" of the ideal. All subjects other than traditional men characterized the ideal person as significantly more feminine than masculine. (CMG)

Compares gender role conflict in 145 female athletes and nonathletes; issues of masculinity, femininity, and self-concept; and influence due to parent's previous sports participation. Athletes, overall, had more positive self-concepts and had athletically inclined parents. Both participants' body image self-concept and parental sports…