Bracia po szalu i sąsiadki zza miedzy. Narracje o męskości w środowisku kibiców piłkarskich
“The Brothers in Arms and Our Girl Neighbors”: The Narrative of Masculinity in Polish Football Fandom Culture

Summary/Abstract: Sport, particularly football, is often defined as a “men’s world” in respect to both players and fans. This paper investigates the process of constructing a narrative about manhood in the world of football fans, and aims to go beyond the observation that football fandom is male-dominated. Furthermore, it examines how the “male character” of fandom culture is shaped and maintained. By doing so, this study addresses two research questions: (a) Which semantic categories are used by fans to underline the significance of manhood and ‘homosocial bonds’ between male fans? (b) How do football fans undermine the masculinity of other fans? An analysis of fans’ narratives of masculinity allows us to identify the most important categories used in fandom culture that aim to either boost one’s ‘masculine identity’ or feminize those who do not fit into the mold of hegemonic masculinity.

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