What Did Serena Wear in This Match? Family Perspectives on Tennis Fashion in the Context of Gender and Cultural Values

Authors : Sabiha Gizem Engin

Pages : 456-473

Doi:10.25307/jssr.1716777

View : 128 | Download : 333

Publication Date : 2025-10-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aims to provide an in-depth exploration of families’ perspectives on girls’ sportswear preferences within the context of tennis. Adopting a phenomenological approach grounded in social norms and beliefs, the research analyses how families’ internalized cultural and religious values shape their children’s sportswear choices through the theoretical lens of Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of habitus. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of girls actively participating in tennis, and the data were analysed through content analysis and organized into thematic frameworks. The findings are categorized under three main themes: faith and sport, tennis and fashion, and clothing and intervention. Participants emphasized that religious beliefs do not contradict participation in sport but can coexist harmoniously. Comfort and aesthetic appeal emerged as major determinants in sportswear preferences, while the lack of appropriate clothing options for individuals with strong religious commitments was identified as a significant issue. Parents reported that when intervening in their children’s clothing decisions, they considered factors such as age, cultural norms, and individuality. In conclusion, families’ perspectives on sportswear choices reflect a delicate balance integrating religious and cultural values with children’s individual development and prevailing social norms. This study contributes to the sociological understanding of how habitus mediates between collective belief systems and individual practices within the intersection of faith, fashion, and sport participation.
Keywords : Sport fashion, Cultural values, Religion, Female child

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