Professional identity versus gender identity: Empirical study among top-level leaders and managers in Hungarian sport

Abstract

Extensive literature supports the statement according to which in most countries there are much fewer women in leading position in sport than men. In Hungary the situation is rather unfavourable in this context; in the national sports federations and major sport clubs this proportion is only around ten per cent. The objective of this paper is to discuss the potential reasons for this kind of gender inequality from the perspectives of professional and gender identity. The study is based on an empirical research carried out among upperlevel sport leaders and sport managers with the help of qualitative methods. The data were collected by semi structured interviews (N=16, eight men and eight women). The findings suggest that the two genders’ views about themselves as sport leaders and managers are different since they are built on different values and experiences. Females’ professional identity seems to be stronger than men’s; only women with high organizational commitment to sport accept such status. Men believe that they are natural born leaders and consider their leading roles as evident. It is concluded that with males gender identity dominates including their macho approach to sport; with women professional identity precedes gender identity and leads to the over fulfilment of their professional and managerial tasks. The gender composition of top-level managers has been changing very slowly in Hungarian society at large, but it has been modified even more slowly in sport. Sport leadership is often regarded as gendered profession in Hungary, positive trends have not yet made their mark on this side