User:Marianavrodela/New sandbox

= Skateboarding =

Masculinity & Gender
Skateboarding has a complex relationship with gender and masculinity. Gender, not to be confused or synonymous with sex, is the range of characteristics between masculinity and femininity as performed through social and cultural roles and behavior. Masculinity can be characterized by the qualities or attributes society associates with men or being a man. Masculinity can also refer to the gender structure in which males are dominant and females are subordinate. Gender and masculinity are often performed in skateboarding culture. Skateboarding is a predominantly white male sport or pass time. In the United States, 83% of skateboarders are male. Historically, women were excluded from the sport for a variety of possible reasons such as gender stereotypes, objectification of women, and or the often misogynistic environment that is the sport. A common reason, women do not skateboard is because of the initial prevalence of men. Often, women do not want to be at the center of attention of men, in fear of misogynistic remarks or scrutiny of simply being female. Masculinity is also performed through skateboarding. The skateboarding space contains in itself a kind of camaraderie or sportsmanship behind that fact that there is no “loser” in the sport. Thus, an environment in which respect for one another is created. Masculinity in skateboard culture is also demonstrated in the classroom. A Swedish study found that a group of skateboarders considered studying an uncool. Instead, the group of skaters ignored their teachers and other peers. This could be a form of resistance to an institution that enforces lessons that do not appear meaningful or necessary to them. However, the skateboarders did demonstrate some affection for one another. Their masculinity in the classroom was never aggressive or disruptive.