Breaking the Silence: How Roller Derby Combats Muted Group Theory in Sports
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Authors
Meeler, Skylar Cameron
Issue Date
2023-05-04
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Communication , Sports administration , Roller Derby , Academic theses , Power (Social sciences) , Gender identity , Social integration , Sports
Alternative Title
Abstract
Gender discrimination has been an issue within the sports industry since the 1870’s (Bell, 2008, p.1). The assumption that there would be a sport which actively opposes gender discrimination and marginalization of women and non-cis gendered people would not be unreasonable. This research aims to evaluate how the community and culture of Roller Derby combats and opposes the basic tenets of Muted Group Theory (MGT) within the sports industry. MGT suggests that women and non-cis gendered people are the subordinate group, which creates gender discrimination and marginalization within the sports realm. Roller Derby directly challenges this notion.
This study received 341 surveys from active and former participants in the Roller Derby community. The survey aimed to examine the experiences of participants in regard to their perceived empowerment, acceptance, and inclusion in terms of gender within the sport.
Additionally, the survey addressed Roller Derby participants’ perceptions of gender inclusivity in traditional sports (i.e., baseball, football, softball, volleyball, et cetera). By evaluating the responses to the survey, this study determined that the Roller Derby community and its values directly oppose and challenge the tenets of MGT. Notable findings also included that a vast majority of participants believe Roller Derby to be more inclusive than traditional sports and that the sport creates a safe space for transgender and non-binary athletes and that participants believed that Roller Derby’s culture and community can aid in creating a change for women and non-cis gendered people in the sports industry.
Keywords: Roller Derby, Muted Group Theory, gender, sports, inclusivity, empowerment, acceptance
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This dissertation is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, revised in 1976). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief quotations from this material are allowed with proper acknowledgement. Use of the materials for financial gain with the author's expressed written permissions is not allowed.