Sports: Women Still Chasing Equality
Since the passing of Title IX in 1972, a law that mandates that both men and women have equal opportunities in any government funded institution, it has created numerous opportunities for girls and women not only in an education and schools, but also in clubs and especially sports. Having the opportunity to play a sport and practice teamwork and leadership is an invaluable experience; and because of the approval of Title IX, many girls, including myself, have been able to join youth sport clubs and continue their athletic careers. Any level including little league, high school, college, or even to play sports professionally. Although women have perceived and progressed themselves upward through society,
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women are still treated as inferior to men and underappreciated in high school, college, and professional sports. Societal stereotypes, unequal pay, and the lack of opportunities for women all contribute to inequality in the field of sports. The Babe Factor Since the beginning of modern day society, women have been seen as submissive and subordinate to men. Many people believed that women were to frail and weak and unintelligent to participate in any activity outside of housework and childbearing. This stigma about women has changed and morphed throughout history to something of a lesser extent and more of a stereotype or cultural norm. Women now have the right to vote and to serve in the military, but this centuries-old inaccurate stigma often subconsciously influences behavior and decisions of society as a whole. For instance, the ‘babe factor’ explain by one University of Alabama professor, “The ‘babe factor’ has been widely used by the media to exploit such expectations and notions of female athletes as glamorous and heterosexy” (Franklin). The babe factor is especially evident in the media coverage of women's sports. Modeling careers, advertisements, and endorsements of female athletes are often the only way for them to become household names. Femininity and beauty in women's sports often distract viewers and spectators from the athlete’s abilities and achievements throughout the contest. For example, The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) employed an image consultant who focused on the hair, finger nails, makeup, and skin of the golfers. Since this began, the tour has experienced an increase in corporate sponsorship and prize money, a 50% gain in revenue, and twice as much television coverage. (qtd. in Franklin) The consequence for female athletes who disregard the societal babe factor and fail to comply with this unfortunate norm are often falsely stereotyped as lesbian or gay. According to female collegiate athlete interviews conducted by Amy Franklin, athletes would go to great lengths to prove their femininity and sexuality while participating in their respective sports. Ribbons, make-up, and hair-dos were all used in order to comply with the stereotype. Researchers believe this stereotype is more common in team sports like basketball, softball, and soccer; contacts sports more traditionally played by men (Griffin). However, this stereotype is not applicable to men's sports. Many women’s sexual identity is falsely perceived by others just because of the sports that they play. However, no man is ever perceived to be gay by his participation in sports. This is just one example of a double standard in women's sports both collegiately and professionally. Societal stereotypes and centuries-old stigmas greatly contribute to the lack of equality and lack of respect for female athletes. The Gap Serena Williams, arguably one of the best tennis players in the game, is the highest paid female athlete in the world; making a commendable 28.9 million each year, endorsements accounting for 20 million of her annual salary (Hiatt). Compared to the highest paid male athlete in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, who makes a whopping 88 million dollars a year; it seems that Serena’s hard work and and dedication is valued much less than other male athletes (Forbes Corporate Communication). In addition to the 59.1 million dollar wage gap between the highest paid male and the highest paid female athlete, the top 25 highest paid athletes in the entire world are all men. The gender wage gap is extremely evident in the world’s highest-paid athletes, but also in team championships and prize money. Individual sports and team sports alike experience the same wage inequality in annual salary, prize money, and endorsements. For instance the winners of the 2015 Women's World Cup, the U.S National Soccer Team. The women were rewarded for their effort with a two million dollar bonus. However, the German Men’s Soccer Team took home a 35 million dollar bonus for winning the World Cup in 2014. In addition, all the men’s teams who were eliminated in the first round of 16 teams, including the U.S men’s team, all took home eight million dollars; four times the amount the women’s team received for winning the World Cup a year later (Isidore). Often times, men's teams travel first class and stay in high class hotels while the women's team rides in coach and stay in any average hotel. Alex Morgan, one of the five players on the U.S Women's Soccer Team who is filing a federal complaint with the United States Soccer Federation explains: This is not only about equal pay – we get paid less than half of our male counterparts – but also equal treatment. We deserve to play in top-notch, grass-only facilities like the U.S. Men's National Team...We want to have decent travel accommodations. We have dedicated our lives to this sport and our country and we love soccer and our fans. We think it's high time for employers to truly address the inequality and do not only what is fair, but what is right. (qtd. In Lewontin) The U.S Women’s Soccer Team is not the only group of female athletes who are experiencing the enormous wage gap between men’s and women’s sports.
In the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the minimum salary in 2015 was 38,913 dollars and the maximum salary was 109,500. Now compare this to the NBA’s minimum and maximum salaries in 2015: the minimum salary was $525,093 and the maximum salary was $16.407 million. That is a ridiculous difference of more than 15 million dollars between the two maximum salaries (Women’s Sports Foundation). Right now, women’s sports are seen as inferior and is shown by the lack of equality in salaries and prize money. Women and men should be paid equally according to their hard work and dedication. Annual salaries and prize money should reflect the success of a team or a individual player. Equal work deserves equal pay, no matter the …show more content…
gender. Opportunity Costs The passing of Title IX in the early 1970’s was the first act of legislature to make sure that both men and women have the same number of opportunities in any government funded system; including education in high schools and universities.
Numerous women’s teams, clubs, and programs were added to schools across the country to abide to the new law. Participation in girls youth leagues and developmental programs began to increase and more girls and women began to practice and succeed in sports. However, it has been over 40 years since the enactment of Title IX, and women still continue to combat inequality in sports. Although women have decreased the opportunity gap between men, men sports receive a larger percent of university money for recruiting, coaching staff, and student-athlete financial aid than women’s teams. The 2012 NCAA report, with data reporting from over 337 universities nationwide, concluded that on average, men's team spend over two million dollars more than women’s teams on everything from advertising, coaches, and team travel. Even though females make up more than 50% of the student population at countless universities; in all Division I, II, and III schools, there are more male student-athletes then women. The percent of participation per gender in Division I schools is 54.4% male and 45.6% female (Bracken and Irick). Not only is opportunity lacking for women on the collegiate level but also at a high school level as well. Senator Patty Murray a member of
the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee is committed to more legislation and maintaining equality in women's sports. The Senator said, “If you added up all the missed opportunities, across the country, young women have 1.3 million fewer chances to play sports in high school, compared to boys. That's according to the National Federation of High School Associations” (Targeted News Service). Young girls and women make up over half of the United State’s population. Women and girls alike should have equal and ample opportunity to achieve their goals; whether that is to win a state tournament with their high school team, or to play professionally and to win the world championship. Opportunity in sports opens thousands of doors for young girls and is an invaluable experience to develop their character which should not be missed out on. On the court and on the field, our success should be determined by our actions: hard work, leadership, and perseverance; not our looks, color, or beliefs. The game should be the same for everyone. Make-up, ribbons, or none of the above, should not define anyone's athletic careers. Equal work deserves equal pay. Opportunity should not discriminate. Equality should have no boundaries and have no lines. If women can be equals on the court and on the field, they can be equals everywhere.
Over two decades have passed since the enactment of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education, including athletics. As a result of Title IX, women and girls have benefited from more athletic participation opportunities and more equitable facilities. Because of Title IX, more women have received athletic scholarships and thus opportunities for higher education that some may not have been able to afford otherwise. In addition, because of Title IX the salaries of coaches for women's teams have increased. Despite the obstacles women face in athletics, many women have led and are leading the way to gender equity.
The NBA generates far more revenue than the WNBA; as such, it's no surprise that the former's players are paid a higher salary. It's tempting to assume that when we account for the revenue disparity between the NBA and WNBA, the gender wage gap disappears. Unfortunately, that seems to run counter to the data. Even when we consider differences in revenue, there remains a significant gap between the wages paid to WNBA players and their NBA counterparts.
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 (...
Throughout the late 1900’s, Title IX had an effect on both men’s and women’s sports. Before Title IX, girls were often discriminated in sports and education. Girls were not given fair treatment because they were thought of as weak. Men were given more privileges in sports. Some people think that Title IX has ruined men’s sports. The creation of Title IX was to reduce gender discrimination in sports and education. After Title IX, women were given more respect in sports and education. Women have grown both academically and athletically. Title IX has had effect’s on both women’s and men’s sports and education.
One Generation Later, by Huffman, S. Tuggle, C. & Rosengard, D.S, explore the relevant discrepancies in media coverage. The authors assert that more boys than girls indulge in sports activities in school. Studies have examined the impact of Title IX on media coverage given to female athletes as opposed to male athletes to determine if there has been a shift away from negative social stereotypes that are traditionally associated with women’s sports participation toward a more socially accepting view of the female athlete. This has become a huge source of concern. Male students take active part in sports activities.
1. It states that; “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Title IX applies to all educational institutions, both public and private, that receive federal funds. Almost all private colleges and universities must abide by Title IX. Athletics are not the specific target for Title IX; Athletics programs are considered educational programs and activities. There are three basic parts of Title IX as it applies to athletics: 1.) Participation: does not require institutions to offer identical sports but an equal opportunity to play; 2.) Scholarships 3.) Other benefits: Title IX requires the equal treatment of female and male student-athletes such as: equip, games, tutoring.
Unintentionally, a lot of us have been boxed into institutions that promote gender inequality. Even though this was more prominent decades ago, we still see how prevalent it is in today’s world. According to the authors of the book, Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions, Lisa Wade and Myra Marx Ferree define gendered institutions as “the one in which gender is used as an organizing principle” (Wade and Ferree, 167). A great example of such a gendered institution is the sports industry. Specifically in this industry, we see how men and women are separated and often differently valued into social spaces or activities and in return often unequal consequences. This paper will discuss the stigma of sports, how gender is used to separate athletes, and also what we can learn from sports at Iowa State.
The enactment of this Title has significantly changed the playing field for athletic departments through out the nation by altering their funding systems to comply with its rules. As a result, women have benefited greatly. There have been additions of female sports as well as an increase of the number of scholarships awarded to female athletes, and also a lot more funding to provide more “equitable” facilities for them. According to the NCAA Gender Equity Studies , “from 1992 to 1997 NCAA institutions have increased the number of female athletes by 5,800. But tragically during that time these colleges also eliminated 20,900 male athletes.” (Kocher p.1) This dramatic landslide has occurred because athletic departments are under pressure to rapidly increase the proportion of female athletes by whatever means necessary. As the path toward complete “equality” gradually brightens for women in college athletics, a dark path is now becoming evident. Male athletes, in a sense, are now being discriminated against because of Title IX.
Gender discrimination is prominent in every industry, but it is as though the sport industry is one of the worst. Women in the work force currently receive only 80 cents to every man’s dollar (Holmes, 2016). However, female athletes both in America and internationally receive a far lesser compensation for their attributes. The only difference of the sports being played is who plays them. There should be no reason why a male athlete receives better pay simply because he had a 50% chance of being born a man. At birth, no one controls the gender, but as they grow and mature, they control their personality and development. Payment should be on personal skills and not gender. As a female STHM student focusing on sport management and a former athlete,
Great inequalities in the educational system between the sexes have occurred for many years and still occur today. Efforts have been made to rectify this disparity, but the one that has made the most difference is Title IX. Passed in 1972, Title IX attempted to correct the gender discrimination in educational systems receiving public funding. The greatest correction it made was in the area of athletics, but social justice of Title IX applies to many other areas as well. Title IX has an effect on women who are not athletes in many ways, including quality of education, receptivity to education, empowerment and creation of ideals.
Traditionally men have dominated the world of sports however in recent year’s women’s sports have become popular and with their new found popularity, women’s sports have evolved into marketable leagues of their own. Although women’s sports took a huge leap forward, women players still don’t receive the same financial compensation for playing the same sports in the same arenas as their male counterparts. In Purse Snatching by Donna Lopiano, she points out sexism may have a huge effect on this financial discrepancy between women and men athletes. Analyzing sports economics may point to a different reason why women are receiving such a compensation disparity.
Over several decades, male athletes had been getting all of the resources in college, which limited females, but come 1972, this began to change. In 1972, female students and athletes began to get better opportunities in college and in high school. A legislative clause known as Title IX was originally part of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and was supposed to end discrimination against African Americans. It then became known for helping women’s athletics and women’s equality in general. Title IX was a brief clause authored by two women in the House of Representatives; Patsy Takemoto Mink who was the very first minority woman in Congress, and Edith Sarret Green. When it came to discrimination, Title IX changed things all over America. Title IX is
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.
It has taken many years for women to gain a semblance of equality in sports. Throughout history, women have been both excluded from playing sports and discriminated against in sports. Men’s sports have always dominated the college athletic field, but women were finally given a fighting chance after Title IX was passed. Title IX, among other things, requires scholarships to be equally proportioned between men and women’s sports. Although this was a huge gain for women, gender inequality still exists in sports today. An example of this persisting inequality can be seen when looking at men’s baseball and women’s softball. In college, baseball and softball are both major NCAA sports. It is widely accepted throughout today’s society that baseball is a man’s sport, and softball is a woman’s sport. Very few people question why the two sexes are separated into two different sports, or wonder why women play softball instead of baseball. Fewer people know that women have been essentially excluded from playing baseball for a long time. This paper will focus on why softball has not changed the way women’s basketball has, why women continue to play softball, the possibilities and dynamics of women playing baseball with and without men, and the most discriminating aspect of women being banned from playing professional baseball.
icole Fortuna Sport film for the underdog Professor Simon Female Athletes Fight for Equality When looking back on history a great deal of things has changed, especially when comparing our present day society to ten or even 100 years ago. One thing that hasn't really changed much is the struggle for women to have equality to men. Although women's rights have come a long way, we are still far from having the same rights as men. Inequalities between men and women are most popularly known in the work place, at home, and especially in athletics.