MULHERES EM CAMPO: um olhar fenomenológico sobre os elementos que possibilitaram a escolha do futebol pelas jogadoras em São Luís do Maranhão.

Abstract

The end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century marks a moment when Brazil sought to build its own identity in front of the modern world, following the global rhythm of adaptation to the process of development and industrialization of Modernity. The empowerment of bodies appears as an element of this process, as well as education for healthy and hygienic habits that, among other things, would meet the requirements for building a developed country with strong men to represent the nation. Inserted in this political and social scenario, soccer appears in Brazil, a sports modality that, despite English origins, soon appealed to Brazilians and Brazilians. But, traditionally, it has been considered a hegemonic masculine practice. However, the studies illustrate that such hegemony did not prevent women from seeking inclusion in this sport. It is about women's participation in Brazilian football, especially in the capital of Maranhão, that the main objective of this study is to identify the phenomena that permeate the choice of women by soccer as a sport in São Luis, Maranhão, based on the narrative of the players themselves. In addition, it also aims to know the relationships between being a woman and playing football and contextualizing the national and maranhense soccer scene, as well as its repercussions on the practice of this masculine and feminine modality. To support the discussions of studies on the history of sport and football, gender issues are important in this discussion. To reach the proposed objectives, the methodological procedure included a semistructured interview with the guiding question: “Speak in the greatest detail: how did you choose for football?”, Held with 11 players from the various field soccer teams in the capital maranhense The methodology for analyzing the players' reports was the empirical phenomenological model of Amedeo Giorgi. Among the phenomena identified in the reports, the following stand out: the differences established between men's and women's football, regarding incentives; lack of institutional support and sponsorship; the difficulties experienced, such as prejudice and lack of financial perspectives, which do not prevent them from continuing to practice football; and the existence of a relationship of pleasure and love for football. It is hoped that this study will favor other important reflections on the reality of Maranhão in women's football and that women can be more heard and recognized through soccer.