Boys, Inclusive Masculinities and Injury Some Research Perspectives Adam White and Stefan Robinson ABSTRACT The social function of sport has traditionally been to develop an economically efficient workforce and to prevent young men from becoming effeminate, and by extension homosexual. However, since the 1980s both the social positioning of homosexuality has changed, as has the economic requirements of the Anglo-Amer- ican workforce. As such, the social function of contemporary sport is negated. With modern athletes now opting for softer masculine presentations, we start the debate on the intersection of sport, health, and inclusive masculinities, an area lacking scholarly attention so far. Through exploring masculinity-challenging dis- courses, participation rates and athletes’ self-withdrawal from sport when injured, we begin to theorize how modern athletes may view potentially risky and injurious sporting activities, showing that boys today are less inclined to engage in injurious activities, and, when they do, opting for softer and safer strategies. KEYWORDS health, inclusive masculinity theory, injury, masculinity, sport Sport has traditionally been tasked with the social function of developing masculinity among boys and men in Western society (Connell 2008; Man- gan 2000). Through its homosocial and hypermasculine structure, sport was useful for the construction of a specific notion of masculinity predicated on violence, competitiveness, risk-taking, discipline, anti-femininity, and homo- phobia (Connell 2008; Curry 1991; Kimmel 1994; Mangan 2000; Nauright and Chandler 1996; Whitson 1990). The economics of the industrial world necessitated that men be masculine. This was synergistic with the social world where there was a strong disdain toward homosexuality. Thus, sport had considerable power as a masculinity-promoting institution for boys (Mangan 2000; Nauright and Chandler 1996). However, the Anglo-American context has changed significantly—both economically and socially—in the past 30 years. The decline of traditional Boyhood Studies 9, no. 2 (Fall 2016): 73-91 © Berghahn Books doi: 10.3167/bhs.2016.090206 ISSN: 2375-9240 (print) 2375-9267 (online)   06-White_Layout 1 10/5/16 12:33 PM Page 73