Sporting women and social media: Sexualization, misogyny, and gender-based violence in online spaces

Authors: Kavanagh, E., Litchfield, C. and Osborne, J.

Journal: International Journal of Sport Communication

Volume: 12

Issue: 4

Pages: 552-575

eISSN: 1936-3907

ISSN: 1936-3915

DOI: 10.1123/ijsc.2019-0079

Abstract:

This study investigated gender-based violence targeting high-profile women in virtual environments through the case of women's tennis. Using a netnographic approach and the lens of third-wave feminism, 2 popular social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) were analyzed to examine social commentary and fan interaction surrounding the top-5-seeded female tennis players during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Athletes were exposed to violent interactions in a number of ways. Four themes were identified through data analysis: threats of physical violence, sexualization that focused on the female physical appearance, sexualization that expressed desire and/or proposed physical or sexual contact, and sexualization that was vile, explicit, and threateningly violent in a sexual or misogynistic manner. Findings demonstrate how social media provides a space for unregulated gender-based cyberhate targeting high-profile women in their workplace in a way that traditional sport media does not.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33151/

Source: Scopus

Sporting Women and Social Media: Sexualization, Misogyny, and Gender-Based Violence in Online Spaces

Authors: Kavanagh, E., Litchfield, C. and Osborne, J.

Journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT COMMUNICATION

Volume: 12

Issue: 4

Pages: 552-572

eISSN: 1936-3907

ISSN: 1936-3915

DOI: 10.1123/ijsc.2019-0079

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33151/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Sporting women and social media: sexualization, misogyny and gender based violence in online spaces.

Authors: Kavanagh, E., Litchfield, C. and Osborne, J.

Journal: International Journal of Sport Communication

Publisher: Human Kinetics

ISSN: 1936-3915

DOI: 10.1123/ijsc.2019-0079

Abstract:

This study investigated gender based violence targeted at high profile women in virtual environments through presenting the case of women’s tennis. Using a netnographic approach and third wave feminist lens, an analysis of two popular social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) was conducted to examine the social commentary and fan interaction surrounding the top five seeded female tennis players during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Athletes were exposed to violent interactions in a number of ways. Four themes were identified through analysis of data: threats of physical violence; sexualisation that focussed on the female physical appearance; sexualisation that expressed desire and/or proposed physical or sexual contact; and sexualisation that was vile, explicit and threateningly violent in a sexual or misogynistic manner. Findings demonstrate how social media provides a space for unregulated gender-based cyberhate targeting high profile women while in their workplace in a way that traditional sports media does not.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33151/

Source: Manual

Sporting women and social media: sexualization, misogyny and gender based violence in online spaces.

Authors: Kavanagh, E.J., Litchfield, C. and Osborne, J.

Journal: International Journal of Sport Communication

Volume: 12

Issue: 4

Pages: 552-572

ISSN: 1936-3915

Abstract:

This study investigated gender based violence targeted at high profile women in virtual environments through presenting the case of women’s tennis. Using a netnographic approach and third wave feminist lens, an analysis of two popular social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) was conducted to examine the social commentary and fan interaction surrounding the top five seeded female tennis players during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Athletes were exposed to violent interactions in a number of ways. Four themes were identified through analysis of data: threats of physical violence; sexualisation that focussed on the female physical appearance; sexualisation that expressed desire and/or proposed physical or sexual contact; and sexualisation that was vile, explicit and threateningly violent in a sexual or misogynistic manner. Findings demonstrate how social media provides a space for unregulated gender-based cyberhate targeting high profile women while in their workplace in a way that traditional sports media does not.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33151/

Source: BURO EPrints