Thesis (Ph. D.)--Open University. BLDSC no. DXN070116.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 242-263). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.A.) - Carleton University, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 115-120). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Kinesiology, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 2, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 246-257). Also issued in print.

This study is an analysis of the manner in which preparatory school boys construct their masculinities through the sport of rugby. The study is based on interviews with the entire First XV rugby team of Connaught Prep School. Sport and rugby in particular are seen as an important cog in the masculinity-making process for men but this is also true for young boys. Rugby in South Africa is regarded as a sport that real men play. Historically played primarily by white men, it remains a marker of hegemonic masculinity. In their involvement in the Connaught Prep.s First XV, boys affirm the importance of the sport, act out the values associated with the sport and display the skills required to play the sport successfully. The thesis argues that sport, and in particular, rugby, is a central feature of boys. constructions of masculinity. Due to the physical nature of rugby and the hype that surrounds and the support that is given to the sport, it has become part of the hegemonic culture of boys at Connaught Prep School. But hegemonic masculinity is not fixed; it is contested and changes. The 1st XV rugby team and its members are an important part of the process that gives content to the masculinity that is hegemonic at Connaught Preparatory. The boys try and live up to the ideals of masculinity that they see on television, hear from and see in their fathers and find in other boys. In selecting a set of sporty values, these boys perpetuate rugby as the preferred sport and a rugged school boy masculinity as the hegemonic made gender identity of the school. While the 1st rugby team try to aspire to the ideal hegemonic masculinity at the school, they cannot meet the ideal rugby masculinity and this renders them vulnerable. They are vulnerable to physical injury and also to the humiliation of heavy losses against rival teams. Susceptible to these conditions makes their construction of masculinity a delicate and fragile situation to be in. While the boys contribute to hegemonic masculinity they also, at times, undermine it by contributing to a counter hegemonic masculinity. These are the boys that stress playing sport for fun (rather than winning), are caring, and develop friendships through the sport. The findings of this study, brings to light the importance of sport in the development of a young boys. masculinity and the vulnerable and fragile situation these boys find themselves in as a result. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

M.Comm. / This study is strengthened by several studies that have suggested that the print media is biased towards male sports coverage at the expense of women’s sport. The study aimed to analyse and critically reflect upon the constructions of gender through sports reporting in selected regional (Gauteng) newspapers. Methods utilized to determine such constructions, included: i) a quantitative survey in terms of frequency of articles (text) and the scope of photographic images and, ii) a qualitative or content analysis in terms of text and photographic images in three regional newspapers (Die Beeld, The Star and The Sowetan) and interviews representing a spectrum of Gauteng’s readership. Data was collected over a 6-month period (1 April 2004 – 1 September 2004) to include all major sport events such as the Athens Olympic Games, the Athens Para-Olympic Games, Wimbledon, the European Soccer Championships, the Rothmans July Handicap, the Women’s African Soccer Cup and the Tri-Nations Rugby Series. A total of two thousand three hundred and fifty four (n=2354) images and five thousand three hundred (n=5300) articles were collected for analysis. The research design allowed for input, throughput and output analysis. To determine the rationale of the input and throughput phases, interviews were conducted with three (n=3) male journalists from the three regional newspapers. Quantitative analysis revealed that sport reporting was greatly biased towards men’s sport coverage (86.5%) compared to women’s sport coverage (13.5%). Qualitative comparisons revealed that male journalists generally devalued the athletic achievements of female athletes by using cultural stereotypes, trivialization and sexual innuendos. In comparison, the journalists often expressed their reverence for male athletes’ athleticism, reproducing and legitimizing hegemonic masculinity. The systematic documentation and critical analysis of gender construction in the media may inform journalists and sport editors of biased sport reporting and the reinforcement of sexual stereotypes. Activist groups may utilise this research to place this type of media construction on their advocacy agenda. / Prof. C. Burnett

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Philosophy