Skating on Thin Ice: Professional Hockey, Rape Culture, and Violence against Women

Skating on Thin Ice explores the culture of toxic masculinity in professional hockey and offers solutions for change. The book reveals that young men in hockey are trained to treat women as objects and commit violent acts against them, and provides collaborative solutions for fixing the problem.

Format: Hardback
Length: 340 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Skating on Thin Ice is a groundbreaking book that delves into the culture of toxic masculinity in professional hockey and offers compelling insights into how sport and society can transform the narrative surrounding sexual assault and violence. The book exposes the abusive, misogynistic, racist, and homophobic behaviors prevalent in professional hockey and provides a comprehensive analysis of the societal forces that perpetuate and legitimize these harms. Through extensive research and sports journalism, authors Walter S. DeKeseredy, Martin D. Schwartz, and veteran sportswriter Stu Cowan offer a comprehensive exploration of the issue.

The book reveals that young men entering the NHL and other revenue-generating hockey leagues are already trained and primed to treat women as objects and often engage in violent acts against them. This alarming finding confirms a recent federal government inquiry into Hockey Canada's handling of sexual assault allegations. Skating on Thin Ice goes beyond merely highlighting the problem of hockey and rape culture; it provides collaborative solutions for addressing and rectifying these issues.

The authors draw on their extensive experience in the sports world, as well as their work with activists and governments, to propose practical steps toward change. They advocate for stronger policies and procedures to protect athletes from sexual assault and harassment, as well as for education and awareness programs to challenge harmful norms and attitudes. The book also highlights the importance of bystander intervention and encourages individuals to speak out against misconduct and abuse.

Skating on Thin Ice is a powerful and essential read for anyone interested in sports, gender equality, and social justice. It sheds light on the pervasive culture of toxic masculinity in professional hockey and provides a roadmap for creating a safer and more inclusive sports environment. By challenging the status quo.quo and promoting positive change, this book contributes to a more equitable and just society for all.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 148 x 225 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487547103