Inequity in Athletics

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Recommended: Introduction to gender inequality in sport

Gender inequity is widely conveyed in the world of professional sports. Gender discrimination has afflicted professional sports since its establishment. Although women have made and continue to make progress in eliminating the inequalities they face in professional sports, remaining discrimination still exceeds their advancements. Because gender inequality is such a common form of discrimination, it is crucial to recognize why and how it exists and to understand what can be done to overcome and eradicate it. One of the theories behind this gender inequality in athletics is due to the strict traditionalism of society. “Society does not like to see women in roles that go against the norm of what a woman ‘should be” (Rodriguez). A woman is expected to carry on traditional feministic traits that include being sexy, delicate, passive, graceful and essentially powerless. “Nowhere does the word ‘athletic’ appear on that list” (Rodriguez). These female athletes are not just exceeding in a sport that they play, they are tearing down the barriers that have always left women on the outside of the world of professional sports. The idea of a strong, athletic woman gives many people an uncomfortable feeling because it is not seen as an attractive trait or loyal to traditional characteristics. This unaccepted view of athletic women has led to unjust stereotyping. If they participate in a sport that is not perceived as feminine, women are often stereotyped as being lesbian. Women who do not fit the cultural definitions of femininity run the risk of being labeled a homosexual. Societal expectations are restrictive and seem to refuse to view the athletic talents of women as acceptable behavior. The most evident inequity between male... ... middle of paper ... ...rning attention from the media, not only do they have to be the best in their sport but they must also the most attractive in order to get significant attention. Overall, the differences between what male athletes and female athletes must do in order to become successful is vastly distinct. A woman must be able to cope with receiving a lower salary than a man, expose herself to public eye in order earn time in the spotlight, and conform to society’s traditionalistic ideals of feministic traits to live up to the standards of a female athlete. Will people ever be able to see past these discriminatory stereotypes? Everyone needs to face the fact that women are capable of so much more than what society expects them to be, sees them to be, and pays them to be. It is time that female athletes are noticed for their genuine talents and not for any unnecessary opinions.

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