Percepciones respecto a los deportes no tradicionales como el fútbol femenino, en las y los estudiantes de la carrera de Género y Desarrollo en la Universidad de Cuenca, período septiembre-febrero 2024- 2025

Abstract

In recent years, women's soccer has gained visibility in Ecuador, especially since the creation of the Women's Super League in 2019. However, obstacles such as lack of institutional support, discrimination and gender stereotypes persist. In this context, the present research explores the perceptions of students in the third cycle of the Gender and Development career at the University of Cuenca about women's soccer as a non-traditional sport. The analysis focuses on how roles, stereotypes and social expectations influence the acceptance and development of women's soccer in the country. The general objective was to identify students' perceptions, stereotypes and prejudices regarding non-traditional sports, specifically women's soccer. The specific objectives included analyzing how gender roles and expectations have influenced the acceptance and development of women's soccer and understanding the challenges and barriers faced by female athletes in this area. A mixed approach was adopted, prioritizing qualitative data. Semi-structured surveys were conducted with 15 students (4 men, 10 women and 1 person of diverse gender) of the Gender and Development career. The information was analyzed using the Atlas Ti tool. The results revealed that, although there is growing interest and support for women's soccer, significant barriers remain. Students perceive that traditional roles and stereotypes negatively influence the acceptance of women's soccer. Among the main barriers identified were lack of institutional support, low salaries and limited media visibility. It was also highlighted that many women face criticism based on their appearance or femininity, which reinforces exclusion and inequality in the sport.