Educational Considerations - Volume 45 - Number 2 - A Critical Look at Women's Role in Physical Education and Sport in the 1930s

Oct 15, 2026

Analyzes how physical education and sport in the United States reflected and shaped women’s roles during the 1930s, treating sport as a microcosm of broader social culture. Examines trends behind changing expectations for women, including how society encouraged and enforced gender roles and how women were treated within physical education settings. Reviews the historical context from the late-1920s “Golden Age,” through rising amateur sport and education programs, to the evolving definitions of gendered instruction.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Educational Considerations

Volume 45

Number 2

Intersectionality and the History of Article 10

Education

March 2020

A Critical Look at Women's Role in Physical Education and Sport in the 1930s

Mark Ellner

Educational Considerations Volume 45 Number 2 Intersectionality and the History of Article 10 Education March 2020 A Critical Look at Women's Role in Physical Education and Sport in the 1930s Mark Ellner Kansas State University, [mrellner@ksu.edu](mrellner@ksu.edu) Follow this and additional works at: [https://newprairiepress.org/edconsiderations](https://newprairiepress.org/edconsiderations) Part of the Health and Physical Education Commons, Higher Education Commons, Other Education Commons, and the Secondary Education Commons This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License. Recommended Citation Ellner, Mark (2020) "A Critical Look at Women's Role in Physical Education and Sport in the 1930s,"Educational Considerations: Vol. 45: No. 2. [https://doi.org/10.4148/0146-9282.2210](https://doi.org/10.4148/0146-9282.2210) [This Article is brought to you for free and open access by New Prairie Press. It has been accepted for inclusion in](This Article is brought to you for free and open access by New Prairie Press. It has been accepted for inclusion in)[ ](This Article is brought to you for free and open access by New Prairie Press. It has been accepted for inclusion in)[Educational Considerations by an authorized administrator of New Prairie Press. For more information](Educational Considerations by an authorized administrator of New Prairie Press. For more information), please [contact](contact cads@k-state.edu)[ cads@k-state.edu](contact cads@k-state.edu). A Critical Look at Women’s Role in Physical Education and in the USA During the 1930s MarkEllner Physical education and sports are often viewed as a microcosm of society by reflecting the cultural climate of the time. By exploring the history of physical education and sport, important societal perspectives ofthe time period are established. From social justice issues, to the prioritizing of physical activity, to gender issues, the culture around physical education and sport presents a distinct view into the trends and societal beliefs of each time period. These views provide a foundation to understanding current societal expectations and ideologies. This historical research focuses on the role of women in physical education and sport during the 1930s. The purpose is to explore the trends that led to women’s roles and expectations in physical education and sport during this time period. By exploring trends in physical education and sport, how women were treated, the expectations of women by society, and the views of women in sports are examined. The cause and mindset of a society that is responsible for encouraging and enforcing gender roles is addressed. The 1930s and 1940s time period began in peacetime between World War I and World War II. This period also follows what is considered the Golden Age of sports in the 1920s. 1 The Golden Age derived from “the economic and technological boom of the twenties.”2 This led to more free time for men and women, thus there was an increase in participation of both leisure and sports activities such as listening to the radio, playing board games, attending and playing baseball games, and skiing. A shorter workday, along with new time-saving devices such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and electric irons, created time and mobility for families to attend sporting events.3 This, as well as the development and increase of sports coverage through radio and daily newspapers, promoted the public not only to watch, but to desire active participation in sports. Boxing, football, basketball, and horseracing were the most popular professional sports and the focus of media coverage.4 These sports were dominated, if not exclusively performed, by men.5 While professional sports participation and interest continued to climb, amateur sports ’ popularity began to explode during this time.6 Sports such as basketball, tennis,

FAQs

What is the focus of the article?

The article focuses on the role of women in physical education and sport in the United States during the 1930s and how societal expectations shaped that role.

What approach does the article use to examine women’s roles?

It uses historical research and reviews trends in physical education and sport, including how women were treated and what society expected from women athletes and participants.

How does the article describe the sports and education context of the 1930s?

It connects the period’s sports participation and media attention to broader social change, then discusses how physical activity became embedded in regular education through physical education classes with differing expectations for men and women.

Oct 15, 2026

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