Ice hockey is particularly significant in Canada as it acts as a primary site of socialization for boys and men. This form of socialization raises questions about masculinity on the public agenda in terms of the problematic nature of hypermasculinity in sport, stereotypical images of athletes, and questions of social responsibility as both men and athletes. These issues are presently relevant as Canada (and perhaps all of North America) finds itself in an era characterized by accounts in mainstream media of competitive athletes’ cavalier lifestyles, hazing, violence, homophobia, drug addictions, and suicides. This review of literature uses secondary research to problematize masculinity in the ice hockey context by presenting the overarching claim that male hockey players are hegemonically masculine individuals. The piece begins by defining Australian sociologist R.W. Connell’s (1987) concept of hegemonic masculinity and situating it in the contemporary academic context. Next, it offers an overview of relevant literature on masculinity and sport along with a concise examination of scholarly work on the relationship between hegemonic masculinity and ice hockey in Canada. It concludes by summarising calls for further research in the literature and by suggesting approaches to future studies in the field.
Author Biography
Cheryl A. MacDonald, Concordia University
Cheryl MacDonald is a PhD student in her second year of study in the Social and Cultural Analysis program at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. She completed her Master’s in Sociology at Concordia University as well, undertaking a SSHRC-funded study of manifestations of masculinity among Canadian Major Junior ice hockey players. Her other research interests include issues surrounding homophobia in sport and representations of masculinity in advertising.
