Women and Sports: No Limits!

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Recommended: Gender and equity issues

All around the world, women are confronted with inequality in many activities they take part in, one of them being sports. In the past, women have had fewer chances of being recognized. However, as the years have gone by, new opportunities have sprung up and women are now able to assume many of the roles alongside men. Moreover, there has always been a stereotype that women cannot be equal to men in sports. This is because of health issues or just simply because of their physical abilities. Women have strived for equality in all aspects of life including the sports world; however, society has not allowed these women to prove themselves valued because society keeps on giving importance to the thought that they as women cannot excel in sports.

Gender is a social construct that outlines the roles, behaviors, activities and attributes that a particular society believes are appropriate for men and women. These assignments put forward by society create gender inequities which are differences between men and women that usually favor one group to the extent. Women are more likely to be the ones disadvantages by these gender constructs because sport in not universally perceived as a suitable or desirable pursuit for girls and women. However, research on sport, gender, and development indicated that sport can benefit girls and women by: enhancing health and well-being, fostering self-esteem and empowerment, facilitating social inclusion and integration, challenging gender norms, and providing opportunities for leadership and achievement. ("Empowering Girls and Women")

The Female Athlete Triad is a syndrome that affects many of the high-performance athletes and some very physically active girls and women ("Empowering Girl...

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...ifference between male and female structures (mental and physical). 19 March 2007. 19 February 2012 .

King, Billie Jean. Women's Sport Foundation. 2011. 19 February 2012 .

Martin-Tenney, Stacy. Lisa Leslie: Basketball. 2012. 19 February 2012 .

"Sport and Gender." n.d. Empowering Girls and Women. 19 February 2012 .

Tarbox, Sylvie. Interview. Amanda Hequin. 19 February 2012.

Women in Sports. 2012.

Women, Gender, Equality and Sport. December 2007.

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