Yannick Le Hénaff

Alcohol consumption among women rugby players in France: uses of the "third half-time"

This article explores alcohol consumption among women rugby players, particularly during the “third half-time”, which traditionally takes place after the matches. The article will focus on alcohol use and the transgression of the norms of femininity. A series of ethnographic observations were carried out and semi-structured interviews were conducted with players (n = 10) from an amateur league-level women’s rugby team in Western France. The results show that within the context of rugby – which is marked by festive excesses and has been socially constructed as a “male” sport – women have a specific relationship with alcohol; although drinking is deemed necessary to demonstrate their inclusion in so-called “rugby culture”, it is, nevertheless, far from being completely unrestrained. On the contrary, some of its effects are a construct of the group itself. In this sense, drinking in the third half-time poses a dilemma for women: how to establish themselves as women rugby players whilst remaining women at the same time.

Individuals With the Rare Disease Pemphigus: A Quest for Diagnostic

This qualitative study conducted in France of “individuals living with a pemphigus” (ILPs; N = 54) highlights the taxing diagnostic trajectory of those suffering from these rare autoimmune diseases. Beyond enduring a diagnostic period that may prove long, during their numerous medical appointments, these individuals internalize the expectations of the medical professionals who are treating them. In some cases, numerous inconclusive medical tests and, at times, a doctor’s condescension may push the patient toward a process of renunciation. This article relates the ILPs’ critiques of the medical work conducted during the trying diagnostic period.