Gender dynamics in Indonesian sports: a literature review on femininity and social identity

Introduction: This study explores the gender dynamics in Indonesian sports through a scoping literature review, focusing on how femininity and social identity are constructed, negotiated, and contested among female athletes. Objective: The aim of this research is to synthesize existing scholarship on how female athletes navigate these intersecting pressures. Methodology: Using a scoping review methodology, data were collected from academic journals, government reports, policy documents, media articles, and scholarly books accessed via Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and official institutions. Studies were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and thematic synthesis, supported by Gender Performativity Theory, Social Identity Theory, and Intersectionality. Discussion: Findings indicate that Indonesian female athletes experience a dual burden: the demand for competitive performance and the pressure to conform to culturally idealized femininity. Media representation, institutional bias, and socio-religious norms shape how athletes manage their identities. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for institutional reform and gender-sensitive policies while offering a comprehensive sociological framework for understanding identity negotiation in Indonesian sports.