New research explores why homophobic language is used in sport

New research from Monash University examining why homophobic language is used in youth rugby has found 60% of players say they use terms in order to get a laugh from their teammates, while just 10% say these slurs are used to express ‘homophobia’.

Despite ‘zero tolerance’ policies, 75% of participants reported hearing teammates using homophobic slurs in the past two weeks alone, while 52% of boys admitted to using these slurs themselves.

In order to develop effective solutions, as New Zealand Rugby has pledged to do, it is critical to understand why this language remains commonplace in male sport. The study findings provide direction to researchers and sport leaders who hope to develop focused programs to stop homophobic language in sport.

Monash researchers are presenting findings from their study at the World Congress of Sociology of Sport 2019 at the University of Otago, New Zealand, between 24th and 27th April.

The research will be presented as part of a session chaired by Monash Professor Richard Pringle, who will be presenting research critiquing recent suggestions by some that homophobia is no longer a significant problem in male team sport.

The theme of the 2019 International Sociology of Sport Association congress is, ‘Sociology of Sport and Alternative Futures’ which aims to continue to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and debate. Scholars spanning the fields of sociology, anthropology, history, geography, politics, economics, media and communication studies, and gender studies are increasingly recognising the social significance of sport as a cultural form and practice.

For more information go to the event listing in the Australasian Leisure Management calendar www.ausleisure.com.au/events/world-congress-of-sociology-of-sport-2019/