Football carries an air of "masculine toxicity" for Lars Steinhöfel
In the world of German television, actor Lars Steinhoff has made a name for himself, playing Ingo "Easy" Winter in the long-running soap opera "Under Us" for the past 20 years. Born in East Berlin, Steinhoff's life off-screen has taken a different path when it comes to the beautiful game.
Steinhoff, who is not a die-hard football fan like his father, finds football "very toxic and masculine." Despite this, he supports women's football and believes that it has not received the recognition it deserves compared to men's football. He finds it unfair that men's football gets more recognition and revenue than women's football.
The sport of football, traditionally associated with physicality, competition, and emotional restraint, has long been a space where traditional models of masculinity are both challenged and reinforced. Young players, especially in elite programs, are frequently exposed to norms that emphasize toughness, resilience, and sometimes suppressing emotional expression. This dynamic can perpetuate gender stereotypes and may influence the career trajectories of both male and female athletes.
The recognition and professionalization of women’s football have progressed significantly in recent years but still face challenges related to media coverage, funding, and societal acceptance. Efforts to increase visibility and professionalism in women’s football are sometimes framed as a challenge to traditional notions of masculinity, as female athletes gain platforms and legitimacy in a historically male-dominated sport.
If Steinhoff were to address these issues, his views might align with current scholarly assessments. He might critique the way traditional masculinity is reinforced in football, highlighting how these norms can limit emotional expression and inclusivity. He could promote the idea that recognizing and supporting women’s football is essential for the sport’s growth and social progress, as it challenges outdated gender norms and fosters more inclusive environments. In line with recent research on talent management, Steinhoff might argue for more equitable structures in youth and elite football to support both male and female athletes.
While Steinhoff's views on football are not shared by everyone, particularly men who are interested in the sport, his perspective underscores the need for ongoing dialogue, policy reform, and cultural change within the sport to address gender inequalities and promote inclusivity. Steinhoff's support for women's football, despite his personal disinterest in the sport, serves as a reminder that change can come from unexpected places.
Steinhoff, despite not being a regular football enthusiast, surprisingly advocates for women's football, believing it should receive more recognition and revenue comparable to the men's league, challenging the traditional model of masculinity associated with sports such as football. His perspective, although not universally accepted within the sporting community, emphasizes the necessity for continued discourse, policy changes, and cultural evolution to address gender inequalities and promote inclusivity in the realm of entertainment, specifically in sports like football.
