Futbolera

Title: Futbolera: A History of Women and Sports in Latin America

Authors: Brenda Elsey and Joshua Nadel

Publication Details: University of Texas Press, 2023

Key Themes

1. Women's Sports in Latin America: The book focuses on the history of women's participation in sports, particularly soccer, in Latin America. It explores the cultural, social, and political contexts that have shaped women's involvement in sports.

2. Soccer as a Catalyst for Change: The narrative highlights how soccer has been a significant sport for both men and women in Latin America, but the participation of women has often been overlooked or marginalized.

3. Nation Building and Women's Sports: The authors examine how governments in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile have promoted women's athletic activities as a means of nation building, particularly in the 19th century.

4. Resistance and Equity: The book delves into the resistance women faced when they moved from participating in sports deemed suitable for women to playing soccer, which was traditionally seen as a male domain. It also discusses the struggles for women's equity in sports and broader social contexts.

5. Social History of Women: The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the social history of women in Latin America, highlighting the struggles and achievements of women in sports and beyond.

Plot Summary

The book is structured around several key chapters that explore different aspects of women's sports in Latin America:

1. Physical Education and Women’s Sports in Argentina and Chile: This chapter examines the early promotion of women's physical education and sports in these countries.

2. Policing Women’s Sports in Brazil: The authors discuss how women's sports were regulated and policed in Brazil, often with restrictive measures.

3. Brazilian Sportswomen Defying Prohibition: This chapter highlights the stories of Brazilian women who defied prohibitions to play soccer and other sports.

4. Physical Education and Women’s Sports in Mexico and Central America: The authors explore the development of women's sports in Mexico and Central America, including the rise and fall of women's football.

5. The Boom and Bust of Mexican Women’s Football: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the boom and bust of women's football in Mexico, including the challenges faced by female players.

Critical Reception

Positive Reviews:

• Comprehensive Survey: The book is praised for providing a comprehensive survey of women's sports in Latin America, filling a significant gap in the field of women's sports history.

• Rich Analysis: Critics note that the book offers rich strands of social, cultural, and discursive analysis, making it a transformative contribution to the history of soccer and sports more broadly.

• Fascinating Stories: The book is described as sparkling with fascinating and untold stories, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the history of women's sports and social history.

Author Background:

• Brenda Elsey is an associate professor of history at Hofstra University and the author of Citizens and Sportsmen: Fútbol and Politics in Twentieth-Century Chile. Her work has appeared in various publications, including the Guardian, The New Republic, and Sports Illustrated.

• Joshua Nadel is an associate professor of Latin American and Caribbean history at North Carolina Central University. He is the author of Fútbol Why Soccer Matters in Latin America and has published essays in various scholarly journals and publications.

In summary, Futbolera is a meticulously researched and beautifully written book that provides a foundational piece for the social history of women in Latin America, focusing on their struggles and achievements in sports, particularly soccer. The critical reception highlights its comprehensive and transformative contribution to the field of women's sports history.