Female participation in Maltese band clubs

Abstract

By adopting a triangulation method, the main objective of this research study is analyse to sociologically women activism in Maltese band clubs. This research study was carried out by questionnaires with band clubs over Malta and Gozo and with ten qualitative interviews with females that occupies different roles within these clubs from various localities around Malta. The main objective of this research study is to analyse if there is female discrimination within these males dominated clubs, if family and household reponsabilities are the main cause for lack of female involvement and to find out if there are barriers that are affecting women to occupy a position in the decision making bodies of these clubs. With the use of sociological theories, the researcher analysed the data collected and came up with major conclusions that in these male-dominated social clubs there is gender equality and there are no artficial barriers that are preventing women from advancing in occupying prestigious roles in such clubs. However most of the females that are in decision-making boards are members without roles, which this shows the lack of power females have in these boards. Moreover females in such clubs are more inclined to gender stereotypical roles mainly related to cleaning. From the data collection was found that females were not always accepted to participate in these clubs, especially in decision-making bodies. As a result was founded the Female Section within band clubs to organise social activities that are still present in these clubs. It was concluded that voluntary work is giving a lot of satisfcation to women, and enhance various skills and social interaction.