<論文>スポーツと下位文化についての一考察 : X・サーフ・ショップにみられる「男性文化」

Abstract

Studies on men and masculinity as a new topic of gender studies has gained popularity in the United States, the United Kingdom, and also in Japan since the 1980's. There are increasingly more sociologists trying to analyze sport and masculinity, with particular focus on men's experience of sport. The examination of how women are suppressed and subordinated in sport is closely related to the analysis of men and masculinity. The work which analyzes women most deeply is the one which includes analysis of the privileges and power held by men. Although some studies on the relationships of sport and masculinity are appearing in the field of men's study in Japan, and discussions of the history of sport as a reflection of modern industrial society which is lead by men are being undertaken, an examination of the experience of sport and of the world of sport has never been done. In this article, I consider the relationship between sport and masculinity focusing on the experience of surfing to show the process of the production of unequal gender relations and norms. I want to make clear the dominance relationships constructed by daily practices of people who do surfing, paying attention to the expression of 'male principles' and masculinity included in the subculture surrounding surfing. First, we look at the outlines of studies on modern sport and gender, and extract the frameworks of expressions concerning masculinity which are included in sport subculture: 1) homosociality (exclusion of women), 2) homophobia (prohibition of homosexuality and 'being not masculine'), 3) approval by others (owning women and securing admirators), 4) pressure of saving 'men's face' (actions beyond one's ability, disguising weakness, and presentation of power). Secondly, we examine the masculinity expressed in the world of surfers based on the above frameworks, looking at the condition of reproduction of subculture. Then we refer to the recent changes within the world of surfers: 1) sharp increase of female surfers, 2) emergence of male body boarders, 3) tendency of non-affiliation of teams (personalization), and 4) tendency of emphasis of localism. These characterize the possibility and the germination of change in their world because the changes mean the beginning of new order and norms, replacing the old but formerly strong 'feminine and masculine'order norms.