Pink whistles and pocket mirrors: why is the FA reproducing gender stereotypes?

Abstract

This paper discusses some incentives, or rather gimmicks from the Football Association (FA) to increase female participation in the sport. However, public responses to pink whistles and pocket mirrors (etc.) indicate that the social construction of gender continues to be omnipresent in the FA. Consequently, it is proffered that girls’ access to playing football is on the proviso that they conform to gender stereotypes. Our plea is to reconsider this damaging attitude.