Inequity in Athletics

782 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

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.

Show More
Related

  • College Sports - Women in Sports and Title IX

    1941 Words  | 4 Pages

    Robinson, J., Peg Bradley-Doppes, Charles M. Neinas, John R. Thelin, Christine A. Plonsky, and Michael Messner. “Gender Equity in College Sports: 6 Views.” Chronicle of Higher Education 6 Dec 2002: B7+.

    Read More

  • Title IX

    996 Words  | 2 Pages

    In 1970 only 1 in 27 girls participated in high school sports, today that ratio is 1 in 3. Sports are a very important part of the American society. Within sports heroes are made, goals are set and dreams are lived. The media makes all these things possible by creating publicity for the rising stars of today. Within society today, the media has downplayed the role of the woman within sports. When the American people think of women in sports, they think of ice skating, field hockey and diving. People don’t recognize that women have the potential to play any sport that a Man can play, with equal skill, if not better.

    Read More

  • Masculinity in Athletics

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sports, in general, are a male dominated activity; every “real” male is suppose to be interested and/or involved in sports in the American society. However, it is not expected of a female to be interested in sports and there is less pressure on them to participate in physically enduring activities. These roles reflect the traditional gender roles imposed on our society that men are supposed to be stronger and dominant and females are expected to be submissive. As Michael Kimmel further analyzes these gender roles by relating that, “feminism also observes that men, as a group, are in power. Thus with the same symmetry, feminism has tended to assume that individually men must feel powerful” (106).

    Read More

  • Gender Pay Gap for Women Athletes

    1565 Words  | 4 Pages

    Women sports have come a long way, since the days when women were only allowed to watch. “The past three decades have witnessed a steady growth in women's sports programs in America along with a remarkable increase in the number of women athletes (Daniel Frankl 2)” From an early age women were thought to be “Lady Like”; they are told not to get all sweaty and dirty. Over 200 years later since Maud Watson stepped on the tennis courts of Wimbledon (Sports Media digest 3); women now compete in all types and levels of sports from softball to National racing. Soccer fans saw Mia Hamm become the face of Women’s soccer around the world , Venus and Serena Williams are two of the most popular figures in tennis, and Indy car racing had their first woman racer, Danika Patrick. With all the fame generated by these women in their respective sports, they still don’t receive the same compensation as the men in their respective sports fields. Venus Williams, net worth is 60 million dollars; 27 million came from playing tennis (celebritynetworth 4). Her sister, Serena Williams has a tennis...

    Read More

  • The Lack of Women's Sports Coverage

    1840 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout history, women have had to struggle for equality in all elements of  our society, but no where have they had a more difficult time than in the area of athletics.  Sports is a right of passage that has always been grafted to boys and men.  The time has come for our society to accept women athletes and give them the attention they deserve.

    Read More

  • Gender Equality In Sports

    329 Words  | 1 Pages

    Gender in sports has been a controversial issue ever since sports were invented. In the early years, sports were played only by the men, and the women were to sit on the sidelines and watch. This was another area of life exemplifying the sexism of people in which women were not allowed to do something that men could. However, over the last century in particular, things have begun to change.

    Read More

  • Gender Discrimination in the Stadium

    1401 Words  | 3 Pages

    Western culture prioritizes equality as a core value in society; however, there are still some boundaries that continue to avoid complete gender equality in the USA despite laws and amendments. If women and men continue to stand up against the unfair discrimination, the perceptions in sports media will slowly change and female athletes will be regarded for their well-deserved and achieved status.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The Role Of Women In Sports

    994 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first perspective is that women are disadvantaged at any sport. Some people reiterate the difference of men and women in sports. This is influenced by strength and the natural power men hold, comparable to women. Rodriguez questions “Is this because female athletes don’t have what it takes to make it in the world of sports or could it be more of a social issue?” This perspective seems to be a social issue based on the notable skills women acquire vs. the apparent judgments of gender issues. The second perspective is the idea that women deserve and inherently earn their right of equal attention and equal pay. “Sometimes, the secret to equality is not positive discrimination, it 's equal terms. It 's the shrug of the shoulders that says "what 's the difference?" The moment worth aspiring for is not seeing people celebrate the world-class female cricketer who competes at comparatively low-level male professional cricket, but the day when people are aware that she does, and don 't find it notable at all” (Lawson). Lawson makes it a point to confirm the biased notions against women in sports and relay an alternative worth working toward and fighting for. Both outlooks can be biased but only one has factual evidence to back it up. The second perspective reviews an ongoing gender issue. This problem is welcome for change depending on society’s

    Read More

  • Why do men get paid more than women?

    951 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... to men and sports, people say boys grow up with appreciation of what girls can do. “ Gender equity, at heart, is about an ideal of sport, the ideal of fairness.” (Currie, Stephen) When it comes to women and sports, it has never been the same amount as when men watch it. Tickets to get into women sports are way cheaper compared to men. Fans even say that women basketball is way more interesting to watch. Even the men that appreciate women sports, they attend the games, they see it as excitement. A national magazine says, “women just lack the strive, or the manic sports - spectator gene.”

    Read More

  • Should Female Athletes Be Paid The Same As Male Athletes?

    1899 Words  | 4 Pages

    “A woman is human. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative, or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is never less. Equality is a given. A woman is human,” Vera Nazarian. Unfortunately now in the United States, women are being treated less than their male counterparts, especially when it comes to professional athletics. In an article entitled, Taking a Closer Look at the Gender Pay Gap in Sports, written by John Walters on newsweek.com, he exclaims, “Each player on the USWNT earns $99,000 per year provided the team wins 20 “friendlies” (exhibition matches), the minimum number of matches they would play. By contrast, each men’s player would earn $263,320 for the same feat and would still earn $100,000 if the team lost all 20 games.” Not only does this topic relate to the difference in pay for women and men in soccer but it also relates to all of the other sports like, basketball, tennis and the many other were males participate too in separate organizations. The topic on whether female athletes should be paid the same as their male counterparts, is a massive debate with two opposing sides. On one side of the debate, people believe male driven associations produce more revenue than female driven associations, the competition in male sports is more intense, and more fans want to see thunderous dunks and the athletic ability of males over the lesser abilities of what females can do. On the contrary, female athletics aren 't given the same recognition or praise, females go through the same types of workouts males go through and they participate in the same types of events, and females don 't have the same abilities as males due to the way they ar...

    Read More

  • Women, Sport, and Film

    1425 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are two sides to every coin. This is something to keep in mind when examining the topic of gender in sport. Specifically, I am speaking of the costs and benefits of a male or female entering a sport in which he or she is not traditionally accepted for their gender. The two sides to this concept lay not only the individual's sacrifices as the underdog, but also in the benefits the individual encounters on his or her adventure into uncharted territory. Of course, it is a struggle for the individual to become accepted by the sport world, and also the general public. It can be an uphill battle in order for him or her to even be able to participate initially. On the other hand, upon crossing the gender boundary, the individual can earn great recognition. This brings the concept to another level; there are cultural benefits that arise from an individual entering a non-traditional sport for their sex. Three movies that we viewed in the first half of this course have served to demonstrate the individual costs and benefits involved when women become involved in sports that are not traditionally accepting of the female sex. After close analysis of "Girl Fight", "Pumping Iron II", and "Personal Best", effects that these women have on the female culture as a whole, to this day, become clear.

    Read More

  • The Unexpected Truth About Athletes

    1479 Words  | 3 Pages

    Having knowledge of the entertainment world, it seems to be a fast-paced, competitive business. Over the years, sports has been integrated into entertainment, therefore, it has contributed to a business of its own. The goal of a business is to increase revenue and to make a profit, by any means necessary. In regards to sports, society displays this field as male dominant because of the idea that males can be more dominant in the world than women. Also, women’s sports did not come about until the 20th century, while male sports can be traced back to the first Olympics in Ancient Greece. Another factor to genderized sports is the perception of each body: “men are active and athletic, and women, by exclusion, are not” (Ólafsson et al. 5). Furthermore, most female athletes stop playing sports in their teens. This is due mainly because of the low amount of role models that females can look up to in the media. While for boys, they are exposed to their favorite male athletes on different media outlets daily. Boys look up to athletes so much, that they strive to be like them and to one day reach the level of their idol. They will work and play hard throughout high school in order to be drafted onto a professional league for sport that they play. But, what they don’t understand is that, their chances to make it to becoming a professional athlete are slim to none, and if they are able to make it, at what cost? Boys tend to postpone getting a higher education or creating a plan B due to being so focused on making it into the business of professional sports. As many don’t make to the professional level, they become impoverish. Even if they do make it, there is a chance of injury and misspending, which are factors that most likely are not cons...

    Read More

  • Gender Equality in Sports

    2414 Words  | 5 Pages

    Gender equality is defined as the act of treating men and women equally on all levels. When this gender equality is thrown into discussion with our continuously growing sports culture, it raises many concerns (Lyras 2009). Gender equality among male and female athletics has always been a hot button issue, and even now it is still to be said that there is not full equality in any level of athletics. These inequalities come in the form of financial disparity, media coverage, or lack thereof, and other benefits usually offered to male athletes that are not offered to women (Lyras).

    Read More

  • Gender Biases in Sport Media

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today’s society, it is nearly impossible to imagine our lives without the media. Television, radio, social media, and other types of media are a big influence on our lives and we all use them on a daily basis. They give us our news, provide us with entertainment, and we base a lot of our views and beliefs off of what we see and hear in the media. The media have plenty of positive aspects; however, with the major influence they have on individuals, the media can have many downsides. One of these downsides would be the media’s ability to create negative perceptions for the viewers. An example of this problem with the media is the coverage of men’s and women’s sports. Both professional and college sports are all over the media. They show up in television, magazines, advertisements, and many other places. Although it is good that sports get this great amount of attention, the problem with the sport media is that women’s sports do not receive equivalent coverage that men’s sports do. Sport media focuses almost completely on men’s sports and women’s sports do not get the equal attention that they deserve, and even when female athletes are covered in the media, they are almost always feminized and gender marked. Sport media holds numerous gender biases against women’s sports and this creates negative perceptions of them in our society. Female athletes need to receive the equal treatment from the media that they deserve.

    Read More

  • Gender Roles In Sports Essay

    1374 Words  | 3 Pages

    Whether its baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, or tennis, sports is seen all over the world as a representation of one’s pride for their city, country, and even continent. Sports is something that is valued world-wide which has the ability to bring communities together and create different meanings, beliefs and practices between individuals. Although many people may perceive sports to have a significant meaning within our lives, it can also have the ability to separate people through gender inequalities which can also be represented negatively throughout the media. This essay will attempt to prove how gender is constructed in the sports culture while focusing on female athletes and their acceptance in today’s society.

    Read More

More about Inequity in Athletics

Open Document