Canadian Inter-University Sport & Women Essay by Master Researcher

This report explores the question of whether women should be permitted to participate in all contact sports. A contextual analysis of this issue reveals that its assumptions are predicated upon historically-defined appropriate gender roles for women that are currently under revision in Western society. Given the increasing popularity of such sports among women, and interest in women's athletics in society in general, it recommends that participation be permitted with the caveat that they can only compete with other female athletes in these contact sports.