Women's transnational migration through football: Possibilities, responsibilities, and respectability in Ghana
A summary of the article:
The article "Women’s Transnational Migration Through Football: Possibilities, Responsibilities, and Respectability in Ghana" explores how Ghanaian female footballers navigate transnational migration to enhance their socioeconomic status and meet family obligations. The study, based on fieldwork in Ghana, Sweden, and Denmark, examines how young female players see football as a potential pathway to upward mobility. However, they must balance this with societal expectations of respectability and their responsibilities to family, which often include financial support. The research highlights that while opportunities for female football migration are increasing, these athletes must navigate patriarchal norms and negotiate both their career aspirations and familial obligations.
The article underscores that football offers ambitious young women a speculative route to improve their life chances, but success requires careful negotiation of gendered social norms. The study shows how familial support is crucial, as football migration is often framed within the context of a household livelihood strategy. By analyzing the intersection of sport, migration, and gender expectations, the research provides a deeper understanding of how young Ghanaian women balance their personal ambitions with social responsibilities.
Key Takeaways:
Football as a migration strategy: Young Ghanaian female footballers view football as a pathway to social and economic mobility, often using it to access education abroad.
Negotiating gender norms: Players must balance their ambitions with societal expectations of femininity and respectability, which often complicate their football aspirations.
Familial responsibilities: Football migration is frequently framed within a context of fulfilling familial obligations, with athletes expected to support their families financially.
Authors: Paul Darby, James Esson, & Christian Ungruhe
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