Children's views on women in sport: Locating feminist narratives

Narratives of progress have circulated around women's sport in recent times, as reflected in the growing numbers of women sports participants, increased media visibility and movements towards pay parity for professional sportswomen. As part of a wider project exploring children's sporting identities, 147 children were asked via focus groups (21) about their views on the perceived progress of women in sport, with the data analysed to see how these ideas might be underpinned by feminist perspectives. Using reflexive thematic analysis, the constructed themes comprised of (1) pay equity, (2) media visibility, (3) girl fandom and (4) a continuum of boys' views. Overall, children are overwhelmingly positive about the progress of women in sport. Feminist frameworks presented in discussions on equity of pay and resources as linked to liberal feminism, to media visibility typically associated with popular feminism. However, while the viewpoints of the children appeared to support the progressive narrative around women in sport, many of the frameworks that underpinned children's views may not ultimately challenge gender inequality in sport. The significance of this research relates to the potential for future generations to recognise and embrace gender equity in sport.