Addressing Cultural Norms of Sport

Abstract

In this chapter, common cultural norms in sport will be addressed as contributors to the occurrence, perpetuation, and silencing of experiences of gender-based violence. Although initial research on the causes of gender-based violence in sport focused on individual characteristics of the perpetrator and survivor, and these characteristics are essential to explaining the occurrence and perpetuation of violence, there are other important contributors. Understanding how violence in sport occurs, is sustained, and silenced requires a systemic approach including consideration of cultural values and norms. In this chapter, hegemonic masculinity, the sport ethic, the belief that violent acts help to achieve specific outcomes, and the prioritisation of performance outcomes are reviewed as contributors to the occurrence, perpetuation, and silencing of experiences of violence.