At this point in time it is hard to not know who Larry Nassar is. The former doctor for Michigan State University (MSU) and USA Gymnastics was convicted of multiple crimes relating to the abuse of young women athletes. For some individuals, the news was shocking. Meanwhile, for others, his actions were part of a system that almost normalizes and excuses sexual misconduct . When news of the abuse hit the air, major news outlets failed to provide adequate coverage . This is not surprising given that according to Putterman, “women athletics in general receive only 4 percent of all sports coverage” (Putterman 6). While sexual abuse in women’s gymnastics is a pervasive issue, there was disinterest in covering the case by national news media (Putterman). …show more content…
In contrast, smaller sources like the ones analyzed in this essay, devoted significant time informing readers about this issue in complicated ways. By using a variety of rhetorical tools, the sources worked to engage with the varying aspects of the sexual assault case. The discourse in these selected articles shows how the delayed reactions and controversies surrounding the gymnastics women’s case against Larry Nassar points to a larger social problem: how we fail to respond and protect women in youth athletics from sexual misconduct. In an Atlantic article titled “The Sex-Abuse Victims America Ignored” Alex Putterman argues that America’s disregard of U.S Gymnastics and Michigan (MSU) scandal is a national problem. The author starts building her argument by highlighting that the issue only got national attention when Aly Raisman came forth with her statement of victimhood. Raisman, a multi-medalist, played a huge role in bringing national attention to the Nassar trail due to her popularity. Throughout the article the author constantly uses rhetorical appeals to strengthen the argument. For instance, Putterman indicates multiple times that Nassar sexually abused upwards of 150 women over a period of two decades. Putterman’s statement supports the logos appeal by giving evidence of the length of time this incident went unnoticed. At the beginning of the article there is a hyperlink to a 13- minute video clip of Raisman giving her testimony about Larry Nassar in the courtroom. The hyperlink draws people into the heartfelt video. The author did not only focus on the suspect and victims, but on those who aided in this scandal. It is mentioned that the former USA Gymnastics president, Steve Penny, resigned but with $1 million in severance. This shows that the issue is not taken seriously and those who played a role have now decided to ignore the problem but still receive compensation. The use of ethos comes in play when Putterman includes that three board members “’tendered their resignations’ effective immediately” when more of Nassar’s victims began testifying. These actions show the values of the organization, that members resigned because it became a visible issue, resulting in them being publicly shamed rather than leaving because of ethical responsibility. In this article, it seems the author’s goal was to crucify Nassar for his actions.
She referred to Nassar as a “sports medicine ‘guru’” taking away his credibility through the use of quotations meant to diminish. Putterman did not hold back the details of Nassar “special treatment” which “involved him sticking his fingers in his patients’ vaginas, sometimes with his bare hands for extended amounts of time.” The author’s decision to provide a detailed description of Nassar’s “special treatment” helps paint an image for readers. The author’s word choice also helped sustain her argument as she refers to the authority figures involved in this scandal a “network of enablers.” Using this phrase, the author is showing the extent of the web of individuals and institutions enabling this behavior. The author backs up her statement about the institutions being enablers by providing evidence that at Michigan State many gymnasts reported Nassar’s behavior to adults. Although they reported the behavior, doubt played a role and the girls were forced to continue seeing him. Towards the end of the article the author draws parallels to another popular case involving Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky was a Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach who was found guilty on charges related to sexual abuse of young boys. So, the author draws parallels between the two cases not to show how they are similar but to show disparities between how we deal with cases with women experiencing sexual …show more content…
assault versus men. The Sandusky scandal immediately made national headlines capturing the country’s attention. Everyone involved in the Sandusky crime were punished no matter their position, whereas those involved in the Nassar crime still have their jobs or are receiving compensation after resigning. There is a lot of blame and finger pointing going around. Blame has been assigned to Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics, MSU, and parents. Seeing everyone share this blame shows we can we learn from this and there must be changes in the culture of gymnastics. What is missing in this discussion is a clear set of reforms going forward to prevent this incident from happening in the future. This incident occurred due to adults’ failure to take the girls’ allegations seriously. When a child tells an adult, she experienced some form of sexual harassment there should be a protocol to follow. The adult should not be allowed to rely on assumptions as to whether the girls is telling the truth or not in order to take the action serious. For instance, in college sports, women are protected by the Title IX. Title IX handles various of issues dealing with women athletes no matter the sport. They immediately gather information and launch an investigation. In youth athletics, a protocol similar to Title IX can be developed. Despite putting these suggestions into play there needs to be immediate consequences.
Consequences mean punishing the individuals for their wrongdoings. Many times, it is found out that there are others involved in the crime along with the suspect. The first and minor form of consequences is instant suspension without pay for those knowingly involved until further details are gathered. Depending on the extent of the person’s role in helping the perpetrator, being fired is an option. Although most people prefer to resign, there should be no severance given. Allowing the individual to keep his or her job when there is evidence of their involvement will show others they can get involved in the same or a similar situation and do not have to worry about any consequences relating to their
job. Many athletic teams are composed of coaches, trainers, sports psychologists, nutritionists, masseuses or masseurs. Aside from having all these members, every team or training program should assign an athlete advocate. The athlete advocate would be someone who keeps an eye out and intervene when something is going wrong on the team. In the Nassar case it was said that he was constantly in the room alone with the young girls when it was time for him to work on them. The team advocate can be in the room with the doctor along with the teammate that is getting treatment. The advocate position would be neutral, he or she would not be working for either side.
This case involves a sophomore at a high school named Christine Franklin, who alleged that she was sexually harassed and abused by a teacher and sports coach by the name of Andrew Hill. These allegations were occurring from 1986-1988, a total of two years. These allegations included Hill having explicit conversations with Franklin, forcing her to kiss him, and forceful intercourse on school grounds. Franklin claimed that she let teachers and administrators know about the harassment and that other students were going through the same harassment. The result of telling the teachers and administrators was that nothing was done about the situation and even encouraged Franklin not
In the past recent years, we have heard in the news around cases involving assault and battery cases involving professional athletes or other celebrity figures, however, it is “not uncommon in the sport and recreation environment for a person to be harmed as a result of another’s intentional conduct, both on and off the “field of play” Cotten & Wolohan, p. 214). Nonetheless, it is important to understand that the term “liability” is often not limited to athletes-as-combatants. For example, in Law for recreation & sport managers uses an example from page 215 that discusses a youth football game regarding how a referee was attacked by three coaches and also was tackled by a 14-year-old player, resulting in charges of felony battery. Thus, Hamakawa remarks to say, ”recreation and sport managers should be aware that their organizations are not immune from incidents involving participants, parents and other spectators, coaches, and officials, security
Ethical Rules on Sport’s Justice. Dallas: East Dallas Times, page 21. 2008. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. Print: Harry, Patrick Hayes.
This research paper will determine whether professional athletes deserve a second chance to play in professional sports after inappropriate behaviors. Professional athletes are considered idols and are often held to higher standards. Society has become concerned with so many of today’s athletes making the evening news for their unsuitable behaviors.
Performance enhancing drugs have been a longstanding problem in sports. It not only deteriorates the honesty of the game, but also can have broader social affects that one may not even realize. The use of performance enhancing drugs is especially apparent in Major League Baseball. This problem can be traced back to the 1980’s when baseball was facing one of its first “dark periods”. During the 1980’s Major League Baseball was experiencing a home run drought. Home run totals were down as far as they had been since Babe Ruth, and fans were seemingly becoming bored with the sport. The lack of home runs was a growing concern for players whose salary relied on home run totals. Players needed to find a quick way to boost their power and performance in order to keep the sport alive and to keep bringing in their paychecks. This desire for fame and fortune introduced steroids into Major League Baseball in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Home run totals jumped tremendously during these decades and players were willing to risk being caught using illegal substances in order to shine above the rest. New idols and role models started to sprout up from these outstanding home run statistics and young children started to take notice. This all came tumbling down when these new idols and role models who were making the big bucks and hitting the ball out of the park tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Here lie the affects of a growing social problem in sports. These famed athletes become walking advertisements and promotions for the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports. The influence professional athletes have over aspiring young athletes is very powerful and these roles models make it seem acceptable to use performance ...
The number of sexually abused children is five times what it was in 2012. Jerry Sandusky has contributed to this statistic. Jerry Sandusky was the head coach of the Pennsylvania State Football team (Penn. State). He has a wife and a few children, some adopted from his charity organization, the second mile, but this did not stop him from committing the crimes he did. Jerry Sandusky was convicted of raping ten innocent children, some of which he met through his charity. This earned him thirty-sixty years behind bars. There are issues from this case that are similar to some issues in the play, Twelve Angry Men. Ultimately, throughout both cases the jury was faced with difficult decisions. In both cases the verdict took a long time and a lot of thinking. But, in the end both came out with the right resolution. Sandusky’s reputation of being the guy everyone looked up to made the overall decision of the jury, in this case, inordinately difficult.
... athletes to do as they please. However he does not do a good job of being non-partisan. He leads his readers to believe the only group of people who would do such things are “jocks”. This bias is not true. The newspapers report that University fraternities, and secret societies are as likely, if not more likely, to commit these very same acts. He also leads the reader to believe that all athletes and athletic teams are similar. The impression he leaves about the majority of teams and their members is prejudicial and unfair. It is very unfortunate and disheartening that members of a community that were so highly reguarded, would commit such acts. It is even more disturbing to hear about the scenario leading up to the rape, and the community which produced these troubled young men. It is more important to look at why the events took place rather than who committed them, because ultimately the only innocent person involved is the victim, a mentally handicapped young girl, named Lesli Faber.
The debate over Title IX is a complex one, with many sides relentlessly attacking each other’s approaches regarding the law. The Title IX advocates, largely comprised of women’s organizations such as the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), take the approach that the law is the major reason women have achieved somewhat equal opportunities in athletics. The NWLC contends that abolishing Title IX would undo years of progress so far achieved. In sharp contrast with the Title IX advocates are the Title IX opponents, who are largely comprised of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (...
A penalty flag is down for a growing number of professional athletes. Some, accused of domestic violence, others charged with assault. What has caused this sudden increase in domestic violence by professional athletes? Nothing. There has not been any increase at all. Professional athletes have been beating and abusing women for a long, long time. Years ago, a lady called 911 and said that her husband was beating her. She wanted to file a report, but then asked the dispatcher if it was going to be in the paper the next day. When the dispatcher did not reply, the woman changes her mind about the report and hangs up (Cart). The woman was Sun Bonds, wife of professional athlete, Barry Bonds. Like the wives of other famous players, she was a victim of spousal abuse. Professional athletes are praised as heroes for what they do on the playing field, but what they do off the field is NEVER mentioned. As a very disappointed sports fan, I want to draw attention to the domestic violence cases that involve athletes.
...03). The whole IX yards: The impact of title IX: The good, the bad and the ugly. Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal, 12(2), 27.
Sexual assault, abuse, and rape by athletes is a devastating crime. These crimes by themselves are horrendous, but when committed by athletes there are many different factors involved. Through extensive research this paper will show contributing factors that may result in assault, abuse, or rape by athletes. Special treatment for athletes throughout their career, belief in sexual male dominance, and the role of alcohol are all important factors. Other crucial factors are the attitudes and responses of: society, juries, victims, coaches, and athletes. This paper will explore all these issues and show that changes need to be made in all the areas to combat the growing percentages of sport assault, abuse, and rape against women.
Female athlete coverage in the media is a complication due to far less coverage than male athletes receive. Statistics show that females already receive less than ten percent of coverage, although this is much more than they received just a short time ago. Shauna Kavanagh said in an article that when she was younger, female sports were never on TV. “All of my sporting heroes were males,” she said. Although strides have been made for female athlete’s, there is still a long ways to go. Kavanagh secondly went on to express that she feels the press does not cover woman athletics imperfectly; they simply don’t publicize them enough. People are still much more interested in ma...
Keeping drugs out of athletic competition has only become more difficult for sports authorities since drug testing was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1968. Changing social norms and technology, which spurred the initial drive to ban drugs in sports, may end up settling the debate. Western societies have shown increasing tolerance for using drugs to enhance performance in areas of life outside of athletics. Drugs such as Viagra, Prozac, and Ritalin are now regularly prescribed to improve sexual, social, and academic performance. It may simply be a matter of time before the “integrity” of athletics no longer appears threatened by performanceenhancing drugs, particularly if safer drugs are developed. The ethical debate over whether or not athletes should use performance-enhancing drugs is one of the issues discussed in At Issue: Performance-Enhancing Drugs. Other issues include the effectiveness of drug testing, the rise of steroid use among teenage athletes, and the dangers of dietary supplements.
Everyone is aware of the role that these athletes have to do. We should not look at the inappropriate actions of few athletes. The. I was biased to believing that all athletes are bad before I started. doing my research for this paper.
Sport is never far from controversy. Whether it be alcohol-fuelled misbehaviour, allegations of drug abuse or inappropriate public musings on a thorny political issue, the national press is filled to the brim with sports stars dragging the image of their employers — and the sports they represent — through the proverbial mud.