Why is it that when women want to
participate in a sport that is labeled by men as a “mans sport” they have to
fight for the right to participate. When
did a sport become gender specific? As a
female who has the right to tell you that a specific sport is not for you?
For centuries women were told that
they could not participate in sports because it would have an affect on their
reproductive organs and that they are weak and helpless. Since 2006 Women ski jumpers have been
fighting for the right to enter the Olympics.
The Russian coach, Alexander Arefyev, for the men’s ski
jump team thinks women should not be allowed to participate in the sport
because their injuries could end up far worse than a man’s. He went on to say, “it’s too hard work and
that the purpose for women is to have children, do housework and to create a
family home.” His views of the
individual, especially women, are certainly are based on “assignment to a sex
category on the basis of what the genitalia look like at birth” (Lober, page
65).
This relates to our classroom discussion regarding the
Lego ad. The company took a product that
was neutral and made it gender specific.
In my opinion if children are taught that certain things are gender
related, it limits the things we do and what we can become. But more important, it limits how we view
ourselves as that gender.
Women these days are socially not accepted for certain sports. Sports with all men would be different if women played it. I am so used to watching a sport like hockey or football and seeing all male players. If a girl tried out for one of these “all male sports” I feel like they would be rejected or looked down upon for even trying to go after one of these sports. Most men feel that women are not meant to be in the same positions as them. As Barbara said in her response, “who has the right to tell you that a specific sport is not for you?”. She has a point. How can someone tell you that your not “right for this sport” if they have never seen you play or outcast you because of your gender or look. Social norms for sports are all based off of strength. There are the “girl” sports and the “boy” sports. After reading the article about the Russian ski coach not liking the idea of women participating in the same sport, shows the social norm. He is pretty much being sexist and labeling women as having the purpose to “ have children and do housework”. Though now a days not every mom out there does this. There are a few “stay at home” fathers and their wives have the job. Society judges people off of it being something different than the “normal way”.
ReplyDeleteI too agree with you that based upon our sex we are often categorized into what sport is appropriate for us to play. As a child I never once considered playing football because it was a typical man’s sport. I instead took multiple dance classes because that’s what most girls my age were doing. However, reflecting back I wish my mind would have been less crowded by stereotypes and that I would have at least tried to play football. By categorizing sport by gender we are limiting are full potential and abilities for success. As you discussed that genders should be given equal opportunity to play sports, do you believe that all sports should be co-ed on a professional level? While I believe that grade school sports can benefit from being co-ed I feel though it is probably safer for professional sports to be separated by sex. I believe it may be unfair and potentially unsafe for sports to be played out co-ed due to the different body types and sizes that men have compared to women. While men on a professional sports level are generally larger they may have an unfair advantage against women. I also found the quote by the Russian coach especially alarming. It is hard to believe such sexism still exists in the world. The article seems to emphasize the fact that he is Russian. Do you believe this same thought would come from an American coach or that certain parts of the world seem less open to gender equality? Thank you for posting an article that allowed me to reflect on my own opinions toward sports and that of the people around me.
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