Media systems and their effects on women's sport participation in Taiwan

Abstract

This study has attempted to explore media influences on social and cultural change, in particular the impact of the media on individuals and groups’ practice of exercise. It suggests that the media has been in some way successful in gaining male support and has eliminated some gender hostilities, resulting in a little change to the status quo of women. The findings and discussions are attempts to explore how images of femininity/body are perceived and constructed in the mass media and society as a whole. In addition, they present media images and discuss how the latter have influenced women's femininity and their sport participation in Taiwan.