Sport, Migration, and Gender in the Neoliberal Age

The book explores how neoliberalism has permeated the bodies,subjectivities,and gender of youth around the world as global sport industries have expanded their reach into marginal areas. It demonstrates that the ideals of neoliberalism spread in surprising ways,intermingling with categories like gender,religion,indigeneity,and kinship. Athletes' migrations provide a novel angle on the global workings of neoliberalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Neoliberalism has had a profound impact on the lives of young people around the world as the global sport industry has expanded its reach into marginalized areas. The pursuit of athletic careers in professional leagues in the Global North has become a lucrative opportunity for many young athletes, luring them with the promise of financial success and social recognition. However, this expansion has come at a cost. Neoliberalism has reconfigured sport as a for-profit business, with sport clubs and federations increasingly relying on television and corporate sponsors for revenue. This has led to the commodification of athletes and the prioritization of commercial interests over the development of sport and the well-being of athletes.

One of the most significant effects of neoliberal sport is the collapse of national economies in the Global South and the local economies of marginal areas in the Global North. As global capital flows freely across borders, countries in the Global South are often unable to compete with the economic power of the Global North. This has led to widespread poverty and unemployment, particularly among young people. In response, many young people in these regions see sport as a way out of poverty, hoping to achieve financial success and social status through their athletic abilities.

However, the pursuit of a sport career is often elusive. While some athletes do succeed in achieving professional success, many more face numerous challenges and barriers. These include limited access to training facilities, equipment, and nutrition, as well as high competition and corruption within the sport industry. As a result, many young athletes are forced to pursue their dreams in regional centers or even in the wealthy centers of the Global North, where they can access better resources and opportunities.

The pursuit of a sport career has also transformed kinship relations, gender relations, and the subjectivities of people. Young athletes are often subjected to intense pressure and scrutiny from their families, coaches, and agents, who expect them to achieve success at all costs. This pressure can lead to the exploitation of athletes, with some coaches and agents pushing them to use performance-enhancing drugs or engaging in unethical practices to improve their chances of success.

Furthermore, the migration of athletes has become a significant aspect of neoliberal sport. As athletes seek better opportunities and higher salaries, they are often forced to leave their homes and communities and travel to different parts of the world. This migration can have profound effects on the social and cultural dynamics of the communities they leave behind, as well as on the athletes themselves. Athletes may experience isolation, cultural dislocation, and discrimination in their new environments, which can have a negative impact on their mental health and well-being.

This ethnographic collection explores how neoliberalism has permeated the bodies, subjectivities, and gender of youth around the world as global sport industries have expanded their reach into marginal areas. The book draws on rich ethnographies from diverse regions of the world, including Ghana, Finland, China, and Fiji, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of neoliberal sport on the lives of young people. The collection demonstrates that the ideals of neoliberalism spread in surprising ways, intermingling with categories such as gender, religion, indigeneity, and kinship.

The book will be of key interest to scholars in Gender Studies, Anthropology, Sport Studies, and Migration Studies. It provides a valuable contribution to the growing body of literature on neoliberalism and sport, and offers insights into the ways in which young people are navigating the complex and often contradictory forces shaping their lives.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 156 x 232 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138390652