The journey through feminism: Theory, research, and dilemmas from the field

This paper explores how feminism can be used in sport psychology research a nd the particular dilemmas that can present themselves when a feminist pers pective is used within the framework of sport psychology. Both authors desc ribe their personal entrees into various schools of feminism, the ways they incorporate feminist theory into their work, and the struggles they have e ncountered in using feminist approaches in a field that is not always open to feminist epistemology. This paper includes a description of several type s of feminist thought. Both authors use feminist theory in research that co ncerns women at either end of the life span, specifically girls and older w omen, and the ways that members of these groups think about and relate to t heir bodies. While feminism has been an important, useful, and enlightening perspective and tool for both authors, it has also proven problematic with in the context of sport psychology research. The dilemmas encountered are d escribed as epistemological and methodological and discussed in the context of personal experiences from both authors.