Entre sonhos e desafios: a profissionalização de jogadoras de futebol em Sergipe

Abstract

This dissertation aims to investigate how a woman becomes a football player through the processes of entering and remaining in the profession. The empirical universe chosen for this analysis consists of female football players who competed in the 2024 Sergipe Women’s Championship, allowing for a specific composition of the clubs, which typically undergoes changes throughout the seasons. Since the research is situated between the sociology of professions and the sociology of sport, indicators relevant to both fields are taken into account in each of the stages conducted. The first stage is the socio-historical construction of women’s football, with the aim of identifying structural and social changes that have shaped football as a site for the professionalization of female athletes, as well as the process of institutionalization of the category. This discussion is based on dimensions addressed by the sociology of professions and incorporates indicators from the sociology of sport to strengthen the debate. In the second stage, the analysis of the players’ trajectories, based on Bourdieu’s (1996) framework, proved fundamental to understanding the social dynamics that permeate the experience of the interviewed players, particularly regarding the decisions that led to their various positions and roles on the football field. Finally, the socialization process, as a defining factor of the knowledge and practical skills necessary for players to remain in their careers, was examined by listening to those who experience the sport. This emphasis on socialization stems from the interactionist debate within the sociology of professions, while also recognizing the sporting experience as a distinct element compared to other professional groups. The results reveal an overview of the evolution of so-called “women’s football,” highlighting the challenges faced by players in a context of dependence on both other actors and institutions that sustain the sport, but above all, they reveal the athletes’ professional commitment and their struggle for recognition and improvements in the conditions of the sport.