In the context of this thesis the topic of the gender construction is taken up. Subject areas of the social and natural sciences try to find the causes of the gender-specific differences with the aid of various theories. At first, an analysis of the relationship
between society, gender and sport should make it clear how the social subsystem Sport was influenced and structured by everyday theory. Using the example of the controversial phenomenon of sex tests in sport, it should be shown that the gender
of a person cannot be measured using biological-medical criteria only. This thesis is contrary to the widespread opinion in medicine and biology that sex can be clearly determined based on five criteria. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of the
procedure and basics of gender testing should be created by summarizing these criteria. In a second step, it is shown that it is possible by a social-scientific point of view to question hypotheses of a purely biological, pre-social nature of man. A basic insight is that the society in which we live is a result of our own actions.
At first glance, the question of a person’s gender acts as if the answer is obvious. Gender is one of the central structural principles of our society. The population consists of women and men, girls and boys. There is a social system of the two sexes
and sex seems to be given by nature. In everyday life it is associated with the idea of a recognizable and invariable distinction between woman and man. This is closely linked to the assumption of gender polarity. Thus, there are assumptions of different
characteristics and behaviors, as well as a natural gender hierarchy and performance.
Girls play with dolls, put on make-up, wear pink clothes and are especially tender and sensitive. Boys, however, are ambitious and self-reliant, playing with toy cars and crafts. But the fact that this societal system received such great social significance
for the two sexes is not based solely on the natural conditions. Rather, it is a social order that has developed in our society since the eighteenth century and has been proven by biology and medicine since the nineteenth century. An understanding
was developed by supposedly scientifically precise facts of the natural sexual characteristics of women and men.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Relationship between society, gender and sport
3. Gender verification in sports
3.1 Socio-historical background
3.2 The genesis of the biological sex
3.3 The genesis of the social sex
3.4 Procedures in sports
4. The challenge of intersexuality
5. Summary
Objectives and Research Themes
This thesis examines the social construction of gender within the context of elite athletics, specifically focusing on the contentious nature of gender verification procedures. It explores how sport acts as a mirror of societal norms and analyzes the tensions between biological definitions of sex and social perceptions of gender.
- The historical evolution of gender roles in sports.
- The scientific and social criteria used for biological sex determination.
- The critique of binary gender categorizations in high-performance athletics.
- Ethical and social implications of sex verification testing on intersex athletes.
- The role of sport in reproducing or challenging social gender hierarchies.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Socio-historical background
Due to the increasing active participation of women in athletic competitions, a precise classification in women and men was indispensable. Based on the theory of everyday life, gender was determined on the physical characteristics and genitals. For many years, the combination of first names in the identity papers and outward appearance was enough to qualify for entry in the women's class. The different framework conditions for women and men, such as the different weight of throwing equipment, were not perceived as unlawful but considered legitimate due to the everyday-theoretical certainty of gender antagonism and the associated different levels of performance.
Due to the lighter conditions in the women's competitions rumors and fears increased that men dressed as women would take part in them. Presumably, these rumors arose solely because of the external appearance, which changed greatly through the professionalization of women's sports. Sportswomen were mostly noticed for their pronounced musculature, which did not correspond to the contemporary gender stereotype (Müller, 2006). Dora Ratjen, aka Hermann Ratjen, was probably the most famous case of this time. Ratjen participated in the women's high jump competition at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Ratjen, however, had male genitals that were tied up during the competition, which led to the exclusion of all competitions after becoming known (Ferguson-Smith & Ferris, 1991; Müller, 2006; Stephenson, 1996).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the case of Caster Semenya as a catalyst for examining the societal construction of gender and the limitations of biological-medical criteria in sports.
2. Relationship between society, gender and sport: Analyzes how sport, as a social subsystem, mirrors historical and cultural shifts in defining gender roles and hierarchies.
3. Gender verification in sports: Provides a detailed overview of the historical, biological, and sociological justifications for sex testing and the evolution of testing procedures.
3.1 Socio-historical background: Discusses the origins of gender testing as a response to fears of fraud and the impact of the Cold War on sports regulation.
3.2 The genesis of the biological sex: Details the five medical criteria used by science to define biological sex and how these are perceived as natural and binary.
3.3 The genesis of the social sex: Contrasts biological determinism with social constructivism, arguing that gender is a socially shaped category rather than a purely biological fact.
3.4 Procedures in sports: Chronicles the transition from visual examinations to genetic tests and the subsequent move toward specialized medical assessments by the IAAF.
4. The challenge of intersexuality: Addresses the ethical dilemmas and personal consequences for intersex athletes navigating a binary sports system.
5. Summary: Concludes that current gender-based classifications in sports are problematic and suggests exploring alternative, functional systems of categorization.
Keywords
Gender, Elite Athletics, Intersexuality, Sex Testing, Social Construction, Biological Sex, Gender Verification, Sports Sociology, IAAF, IOC, Caster Semenya, Binary System, Performance Classification, Gender Norms, Sports Ethics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work focuses on the social construction of gender and how this manifests in the elite sports world through controversial gender verification policies.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The main themes include the sociology of sport, the history of gender testing, the scientific definition of sex, and the ethical challenges faced by intersex athletes.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate that gender cannot be reduced to purely biological criteria and to critically analyze how societal norms shape the governance of athletic competitions.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a social-scientific approach, synthesizing various theories on gender construction and analyzing the history of institutional sports policies.
What content is addressed in the main chapters?
The main body examines the historical background of sex tests, differentiates between biological and social sex, discusses the evolution of testing procedures, and explores the specific challenges faced by intersex individuals.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Gender, Intersexuality, Sex Testing, Social Construction, and Elite Athletics.
How does the author view the 'binary' system in sports?
The author argues that the binary gender system in sports is an illusory construct that fails to account for biological diversity and creates significant hardship for individuals who do not fit these rigid categories.
What is the author's stance on medical interventions for athletes?
The author criticizes current policies that force athletes to undergo hormone therapy or surgery, noting the severe physical and mental health consequences for the affected individuals.
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- Christoph Niemann (Autor:in), 2019, Construction of Gender, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1168763
