“We are in training, but we cannot let our guard down”: an ethnographic study on gender relations in karate

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to reflect on gender relations in a karate academy in the Cariri Oeste region of the state of Ceará. To understand and interpret the established social dynamics, ethnography was employed, supported by the creation of field diaries and participant observation, from June 2023 to March 2024. Considering the traditional constructs in the field of karate, when entering a predominantly masculinized space, women often encounter a limitation of power, somewhat consenting to coercive operations that direct them, in many cases, to adopt stances and behaviors based on hegemonic femininity, accepting a secondary role within this field.

Keywords:
Karate; Gender; Martial arts; Femininity