Trampled Autonomy: Women, Athleticism, and Health

Philosophical analysis has paid scant attention to the gender inequalities women athletes face compared to the myriad ways in which social science shows that athleticism values masculinity and devalues femininity. Athletic endeavors diverging from gendered norms are sexualized, feminized, devalued, and delegitimized. A philosophical analysis reveals deep and serious double binds constraining women's autonomy to engage and succeed in sport and thus to participate in a major social institution granting status and recognition. More importantly, these constraints to autonomy undermine women's choices to promote and preserve health.