Addressing Gender Inequity in Sport Through Women’s Invisible Labor

in Journal of Sport Management

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Katherine SveinsonSchool of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

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Elizabeth TaylorSchool of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

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Ajhanai C.I. KeatonCollege of Education and Human Development, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

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Laura BurtonNeag School of Education, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

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Ann PegoraroSchool of Hospitality, Food & Tourism, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

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Kim ToffolettiSchool of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts & Education, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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While the progress of women in the sport industry has become more visible, there is still significant gender inequity. Extending the sport organizational literature, we argue that the unpaid, invisible, and emotional labor of women, especially those holding diverse social identities, is significantly contributing to gender inequity at the organizational level. In broader sport research, the micro, everyday experiences of women stakeholders and the connection to macro societal structures and ideologies have provided foundational insight to build upon. However, there is a need for research to focus on the meso-level organizational practices, policies, designs, structures, and culture to create real change. Therefore, we present a conceptual paper, focused on a meso-level analysis and the invisible labors that women stakeholders engage in, to extend existing work and provide a pathway for further investigation into gender inequity in sport.

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