Through a Thematic Qualitative Text Analysis and semi-structured interviews with journalists, athletes, and coaches, this thesis investigates the relationship between gender, sports, and media representation of menstruation in Belgian online sports news. This research emphasizes the delicate balance in sports media between normalizing discussing menstruation and avoiding sexist ideologies. One effective approach to breaking the menstrual taboo is to adopt the rationalist discourse of self-instrumentalization, where athletes enhance their performance by the use of science and technology. Given that menstruation is a physiological process connected to maximizing performance, it is vital to normalize its media coverage. There is, nevertheless, a palpable tension between private and public conversation. Journalists tend to concentrate on the personal stories and physical challenges of athletes, yet the coverage of the menstrual influences remains underrepresented. A more nuanced and ethical approach is needed, balancing public interest with athletes' privacy. The thesis advocates that menstruation should be normalized in the sports discourse in order to promote more inclusive media practices that reflect and fairly portray the experiences of female athletes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hj-65354 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Van den Busche, Margot |
| Publisher | Jönköping University, HLK, Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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