The Lived Experiences of Women in the Male-Dominated Field of Motorsports: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to understand how women described their lived experiences entering and working in the male-dominated field of motorsports within the United States. Using purposive and snowball sampling, 11 women participated in the study who met the criteria of being at least 18-years of age, currently working in motorsports, and living in the United States. The theoretical foundations that guided this study included social role theory and social cognitive career theory. This study explored two research questions: How do women describe their lived experiences working in the male-dominated field of motorsports? And how do lived experiences of women impact their decision to pursue a career in the male-dominated field of motorsports? Data collection occurred using a series of three separate interviews per participant. Eidetic analysis resulted in nine themes and one sub-theme. Significant themes included required characteristics, introduction to motorsports, gender stereotypes, and passion for motorsports. Results indicate women need required characteristics in order to work in motorsports. Additionally, participants who viewed their experiences in motorsports as positive were also those passionate about motorsports. Recommendations for future research include mentorship opportunities for women in motorsports and an investigation of the lived experiences of women professional racecar drivers