Gender Construction in Judo Interactions

Abstract

This study analyses gender relations amongst high-level judokas. It uses the interactionist paradigm developed by Goffman and takes into account both the actors' history and the context. More precisely, we observed interactions between men and women during training sessions of the pole-hope in Toulouse and carried out interviews with judokas exhibiting various behaviours. Results attest to the existence of differentiated behaviours according to sex throughout the judo session in mixed-sex non-adversarial situations and during the fight when the principle of pride is paramount. Behaviours constitute a sort of out of frame communication, reinforcing gender hierarchy. Moreover, the coeducational fight situation allows us to observe the framing activity of the judokas, the judo framework conflicting with that of gender experience. Indeed, the competitors must position themselves as men or women but also be recognized as judokas. During coed fights, the majority of judokas interpret the situation through the gender framing experience. However, in some particular situations, the judo framework takes precedence. This affects gender differences. In addition, atypical behaviours of certain judokas are associated with the gender roles with which they were socialized. Thus, interactions in judo can be incorporated into matrices of socialization in which actors, each with their own history, build their gender identity by and for the consideration of others.