Girls in sports

A few sessions ago we discussed the increase of women in sports and how they are portrayed in sports related media. In our discussion we took a look at how women in early years of sports were viewed as too “delicate” and “fragile” to participate in any sports. Now these weren't just aggressive sports, these include running or bicycling for fear they would develop “bicycle face”. After women fought their way (which is ironic) to be allowed to play sports they are still viewed in the most feminine and sexualized way-if they are viewed at all. Which brings me to my next point; how little female sports are broadcast in the media.  You would be hard pressed to find even a third of the amount of people who follow men’s sports religiously who follow women’s sports as closely. When we do see women in sports in the limelight they are highly sexualized. For example, women who played basketball back in the early days were forced to play in dresses which impeded their playing. Now, the acceptable dress for tennis is a really short skirt. These could very easily by swapped out for shorts. In the Olympics the women playing beach volleyball were dressed in nothing but a little bikini.  Women who are well known for playing sports are often taken out of the uniform and put on the cover of magazines wearing revealing dresses and make up to make sure that even though the play “manly” sports, they are still delicate and fragile. Some examples of these are Gabby Douglas, Semenya Caster, and Serena Williams. Although we have made significant steps for equality in sports between men and women, we clearly have a long way to go yet.