Men's Perspectives and Practices: Allyship and Advocacy for Women in Collegiate Recreation

Abstract

Elevating women in collegiate recreation is essential for organizational success and requires addressing assumptions that limit women's opportunities to lead. This study is grounded in role congruity theory which explains how gender-based prejudice emerges when communal traits associated with women are viewed as incongruent with the agentic qualities expected of leaders, reinforcing cultural and structural bias. The BeCOME framework offers a model for cultivating allyship and fostering organizational cultures where women can thrive. To explore men's perceptions of their role in allyship and advocacy, 22 interviews with men were conducted. Findings revealed four themes: valuing and elevating women's voices; building relational connections; cultivating self-awareness and humility; and gendered leadership pathways in transition. Together, these insights underscore the importance of men leveraging their roles as supporters, collaborators, sponsors, and advocates to advance more equitable workplace practices.

Keywords

advancement equity influence representation structural change women's leadership

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