Student Athletes Depression

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Mental illnesses have become something extremely apparent in our society today. Although they were often overlooked in the past and not thought of as an actual illness, they are now taken much more seriously. Even though illnesses such as anxiety and depression are taken more seriously, it seems that the number of people affected by these illnesses is only increasing. Because of the increase of depression in our society there is now more and more evidence about what causes it and why. One place we have seen a huge increase in depression is in student athletes, more specifically female athletes. The question many people are asking is why? Why is it that depression effects more than 30% of female student athletes while only effecting around …show more content…

This causes a problem for many young female athletes because they get this idea that they look “manly.” Female athletes are expected to be strong and tough while also keeping a side of femininity to themselves. This may be one of the most difficult things for female athletes to balance. When male athletes are portrayed in magazines or articles they are always shown as the tough guys. They don’t have to worry about anything besides being a guy. For female athletes this is very different. They are somehow expected to look strong and empowered but at the same time “look like a lady.” If you don’t have enough of an athletic build then you are often overlooked and not seen as an athlete, but on the other hand if you have too much of an athletic build it is seen as gross or not natural. This has been a big deal in the news recently with Serena Williams. She is the best tennis player in the world with too many accolades to count, yet she is still talked about because her body is too athletic and some say she looks too manly. As a female athlete she has excelled in every way possible, but all people seem to talk about is her body. There are so many factors that come into being a female athlete and it seems like everything has a fine line of what is acceptable and approved by society and …show more content…

Even when a women is playing a sport or doing any physical activity she is expected to look put together and attractive. Often times in adds you see women wearing makeup and jewelry while working out. This is extremely unrealistic for many reasons. If any women were to try and wear makeup while sweating and working out there is almost no chance that it would stay on her face. That is almost guaranteed to sweat off and then it looks even worse than before. As for the jewelry it is against NCAA rules in almost every sport to wear jewelry while you are participating in an athletic event. Women are also expected to have their hair done for every game or practice they participate in. One big fad in todays society is the braids that female athletes will do for competition. Their hair is expected to be done accompanied by a headband that is sometimes sparkly to show their feminine side. Some people may not realize how much extra stress this can be, but for female athletes “game day hair” has become such an important part of the athletic world it can become an obsession for it to look perfect. Another thing female athletes need to worry about is how they are portrayed. Of course they are expected to be exceptional athletes and be dedicated to the game, but they are not supposed to look like robots they are supposed to look

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