Throw Like a Girl, Cheer Like a Boy: The Evolution of Gender, Identity, and Race in Sports

Throw Like a Girl, Cheer Like a Boy explores the history of gender, sexuality, race, and social justice in sports, highlighting the issues and progress made in the sports world. It brings to attention the ways in which sports can contribute to inequalities while also demonstrating how sports can help create a more just world for everyone.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 09 August 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Have you ever pondered the reasons behind the predominance of girls as cheerleaders? Or why certain athletes, such as Caster Semenya, face the challenge of proving their gender while men are exempt from such testing? Moreover, why do athletes like Megan Rapinoe and Colin Kaepernick leverage sports as a platform for social justice, and should they? These thought-provoking questions and many more are explored in Throw Like a Girl, Cheer Like a Boy: The Evolution of Gender, Identity, and Race in Sports. Robyn Ryle employs the world of sports as a lens to examine the historical backdrop, controversies, and ongoing discussions surrounding sexuality, race, and social justice, incorporating the narratives of contemporary athletes to shed light on these pressing issues. The book delves into various topics, including gender segregation, gender testing, the presence of transgender athletes, sexuality, homophobia, globalization, race, and activism.

Throw Like a Girl, Cheer Like a Boy showcases the significant advancements that have been made in the sports realm. However, it also raises important questions that remain unanswered, highlighting the ongoing work that needs to be undertaken. This book serves as a reminder of the ways in which sports can perpetuate inequalities while also demonstrating their potential to contribute to a more equitable and just world for all. By examining the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, and social justice through the lens of sports, Throw Like a Girl, Cheer Like a Boy offers a thought-provoking and enlightening journey that challenges readers to think critically and consider the impact of sports on society.

Weight: 281g
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538184172