How to be Him : The male gender norm within ice hockey - A sociological study

Abstract: Ice hockey is a heavily male dominated sport generally considered rough and demanding. The purpose of this quantitative study is to examine and describe the residing attitudes and norms amongst young ice hockey players utilizing the social constructivism theory and a univariate method of analysis. This has been done through the distribution of surveys consisting of a number of questions aimed to investigate the residing attitudes and expectations of young ice hockey players. To do this, we have compared young ice hockey players' views and expectations of themselves pertaining to their identities as hockey players and, conversely, their identities as individual men outside of the world of sports. We have also compared this data to the players’ views and expectations on female ice hockey players and women outside of the world of sports. Through our analysis we have discovered four particular normative values that a great amount of the respondents possess: The level of discomfort surrounding homosexuality, and the embracing of strength, willpower and courage as desirable traits. Most young ice hockey players participating in the study would not be comfortable coming out as homosexual to their teammates. Likewise, many respondents claim that strength, willpower and courage are desirable traits for male ice hockey players as well as men outside the world of sports. This study is of importance as a contribution to current gender research and debates surrounding masculinity and the health of young boys.