MEMAHAMI PENGALAMAN PEREMPUAN DALAM PROSES MEMILIH KARIR SEBAGAI PEMAIN SEPAK BOLA PROFESIONAL

Abstract

The participation of female football players continues to be marginalized and overlooked. The current state of women's football in Indonesia, which remains uncertain, poses significant challenges for female athletes in securing opportunities and support to pursue a career as professional football players. This study aims to understand the communication process involved in female players’ decision-making regarding their careers as professional soccer players. The research employs a phenomenological approach, guided by Relational Dialectics Theory, Symbolic Interaction Theory, Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM), and Behavior Decision Theory, with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the method of data analysis. The findings reveal two main themes that address the research objectives: the decision-making process for pursuing a career as a soccer player; and the dynamics of barriers in the decision-making process. The study shows that through interactive experiences, the participants can construct positive meanings and perceptions of soccer as a viable career choice for women, forming a strong foundation for their decision-making process. Supporting factors such as unique experiences in achieving recognition and success serve as logical reasoning and reinforcement in their decisions. Participants’ experiences also reflect significant barriers, including social discrimination and structural challenges such as economic instability, which create dilemmas due to their career choices. These findings highlight the tension they face in maintaining their decision to become professional soccer players or adapting to dominant societal norms and traditional values.