- Paperback: 305 pages
- Publisher: St. Martin's Press (May 1992)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312292570
- ISBN-13: 978-0312292577
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,561,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
"A remarkable discussion of athletics, male sexuality, and gay sensibility that has not heretofore been heard in tones above a whisper. A stunning achievement."—"Books in Canada"
"A significant contribution to the critical literature about sex and gender roles.""—San Francisco Bay Times"
"A refreshing, often humorous look at gay sensibility that debunks many traditional, macho-male ico"ns."—Vancouver Sun"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"A significant contribution to the critical literature about sex and gender roles.""—San Francisco Bay Times"
"A refreshing, often humorous look at gay sensibility that debunks many traditional, macho-male ico"ns."—Vancouver Sun"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Sports are perhaps the most visible expression of the ideals of masculinity in our society, and figure as a training ground on which young boys are taught what it means to be a man. Given the involvement of sports with masculinity, the homosexual athlete becomes a paradox, and the recent explosive growth of gay sporting leagues, a puzzle.
Pronger explores the paradoxical position of the gay athlete in a straight sporting world, examines the homoerotic undercurrent subliminally present in the masculine struggle of sports, and explicates the growth of gay sports in the framework of the developing gay culture.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Pronger explores the paradoxical position of the gay athlete in a straight sporting world, examines the homoerotic undercurrent subliminally present in the masculine struggle of sports, and explicates the growth of gay sports in the framework of the developing gay culture.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book whilst studying a B.Sc in Sports Science, and had to write an essay on psychological motivation in sport. Pronger introduces the subject well, and clearly explains how heterosexual men have a psychological urge to compete that mingles with the sexual need to display to other men, and to dominate those who they infact admire. It cetainly opens up as many questions as it answers, and might make uncomfortable reading for those from a (homo)sexually repressed Christian society like our own
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Earnest study of a hot topic
8 Dec 2003
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Brian Pronger's 1992 book still remains interesting today. For most of the first part Pronger constructs his thesis methodically and earnestly: that homosexuality is a subversion of the basic patriarchal structure of Western society, that mandates the power and domination of men over women. Conventional masculine sports represents a heightening of patriarchal expression, notably in the violence of contact sports such as football and hockey. Thus, the gay man (and the book is exclusively about gay men) involved in sports finds himself caught in a paradox, simultaneously subverting the orthodox patriarchy while in many cases worshipping the conventional masculine ideal.
Pronger's views are convincing, though the reader may feel that he takes too long to build his case. However, the book has many excerpts from interviews with gay athletes and gay men who are simply interested in sports, and these anecdotes lend immediacy and interest to the sometimes rather dry analysis. They also, one must admit, are frequently hot, as are the copious illustrations. Pronger's succinct description of the psychological significance of the jockstrap is a classic of its kind. All in all, Pronger's book offers titillation and elucidation in equal, satisfying parts.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
An excellent overview of the masculine sports stereotype
6 Jun 1998
Format:Paperback
I had doubts when purchasing this book, but found it to be very well researched and easy to understand. Full of interesting quotes and interviews I would highly recomend it to any individual interested in the realtionship between sports and athletes, be they straight or gay. A most excellent book and one that has been badly needed in the area of gay studies.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
The Arena of Maculinity
22 Dec 1999
Format:Paperback
I think this book is very well researched and extremely interesing, although at times it felt as if the author fell in the realm of "orthodoxy" that he was analyzing and deconstructing. Tough subject, though, for as the author intelligently describes, sports are another tool of the patriarchal orthodox social/economical system,and as consequence, people without an acceptable role in that system really have no place, in some sports at least. In my opinion, the best thing about this book is the thorough analysis that the author makes about how our culture created and struggles to maintain the patriachal system which opresses mainly women and anyone else who does not fit in neatly. An excellent read, could not put it down.
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