Gender ideologies in dance sport television commentary: so you think you can dance?

Abstract

The popularity of dance television series has risen in the United States. Sport media often produces gender ideologies that reflect hegemonic masculinity, which might limit female and male participation in physical activity such as dance. In this study judging commentary was examined, through the lens of the framing theory, toward dancers on the dance television series So You Think You Can Dance? Season 8. The amount of categorical comments and the content were analyzed to determine if either female and/or male dancers were marginalized. The findings support past sport media research and dance research showing the marginalization of female dancers through over-sexualization and highlighting femininity, while male dancers were hypermasculinized by highlighting strength and power.