Battle+of+the+Sexes

Name: Belinda Connolly Student Number: N6289479 Tutor: Sophie Miller Thursday 3-4pm = __Battle of the Sexes __ =

**//Running Like A Girl: How Equitable is the Playing Field when it comes to Women in Sport?//** media type="youtube" key="g61mKRm4bjc?rel=0" height="315" width="560"

ARTEFACT
The previous YouTube clip is the television commercial for the ‘I Support Women in Sport’ campaign, which was launched by the Australians Women’s Health magazine in 2011. Stephanie Gilmore, an Australian professional surfer and four time winner of the ASP World Tour, is the face of the campaign and asks the question ‘Isn’t it time we took women in sport more seriously?’ (ASP World Tour, 2011; Women’s Health Magazine, 2011). This question is posed after the Associated Press listed the world’s top ten female athletes of the year for 2010. The list of finalists shamefully included two female horses in the top ten.

PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE
After the posed question ‘Isn’t it time we took women in sport more seriously?’ Stephanie Gilmore on behalf of Women’s Health Magazine asks the audience to ‘Pledge Your Support’ for women in sport. ‘Pledge Your Support’ is asked so audience members can support and address the many public health issues facing women in sport. One major issue is the reduction in sport participation rates of girls as they reach adolescence, specifically aged between 12 and 14. Another issue is the lack of all media coverage of women’s sports, in particular televised news and sport programs. In addition to this, is the lack of women in commentary roles in sports programs. Lastly, when sportswomen are mentioned in the media they are usually sexualised. All of these issues influence young girls and women’s body image perception and their behaviour.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Regular participation in sport, for all ages, has significant physical, social, cultural and psychological benefits, including reduced risk of obesity, greater confidence, and improved personal skills (Better Health Channel, 2010). Whilst there are copious amounts of evidence of the beneficial aspects of sport, there is a trend for adolescent girls to drop out of sport (Better Health Channel, 2010). The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011), through the Sports and Physical Recreation publication, found that 54.9% of girls aged 12 to 14 participate in sport. This figure does seem large. However, in comparison to girls aged 9 to 11, the participation rate in sport fell by 10% as girls reached adolescence (ABS, 2011). This statistic is quite alarming. A qualitative pilot study conducted by Van Daalen (2005, p.115) looked into the experiences of girls in physical education classes. The main reasons found for girls not participating in physical education classes were feelings/emotions; body image pressures; peers; athletic ability; sexism, sexuality and sexual harassment (Van Daalen, 2005, p.116). Such comments from respondents included “I'd get so nervous 'cause I wasn't very good” and “I remember being intimidated by this one girl. She used to make fat jokes about me” (Van Daalen, 2005, p.117). In addition, a longitudinal study by Scheerder et al (2006, p.426) found that youth participation in sport had a significant impact on sport participation in adulthood. The Australian Sports Commission (2010, p.v), as a part of the Federal Government, commissioned a report on sport and gender in the Australian media. This report found that women’s sport made up 9% of the total sports coverage on television news and sports programs (ASC, 2011, p.v). When reports on women’s sports did take place on television, the average length of the segment was significantly less than male orientated sport (ASC, 2010, p.v). Media attention on women’s sports only seems to increase when the individuals or team is going well. For example, Samantha Stosur caused a media storm in Australia after winning the US Open in 2011 (SamStosur, 2011). Remarkably, the report noted that coverage of women’s sports was more favourable than men’s sports and women were more likely to be discussed in contexts not simply on result during the Olympics (ASC, 2011, p.v). This is great for women in sport, however the Olympics only occurs every four years. The Australian Sports Commission (2011, p.v) report suggests that the equal coverage of men and women’s sports during the Olympics is how sport should be covered all year round. One of the changes, as women increased their participation in the sport industry, is that of female sport reporters and commentators (Ordman & Zillmann, 1994, p.66). Although these changes have occurred, the number of female sport reporters and commentators is not a large figure (Ordman & Zillmann, 1994, p.67). The Media Report to Women (2010) found that sports reporters are predominantly white males. In addition, the report noted the statistics on women in the media industry who cover sports (Media Report to Women, 2010). They report found women as 6% of sports editors, 10% of assistant sports editors, 6% of columnists, 9% of reporters and 16% of copy editors and designers (Media Report to Women, 2010). In female orientated sports women often commentate, however, in male dominated sports it is unheard of. Those women who do get a slim chance of reporting on sport are often seen as less competent and less informed than their male counterparts (Ordman & Zillmann, 1994, p. 73). In 2007, the BBC appointed Jacqui Oatley as a commentator of a soccer match and the reaction after her stint behind the microphone was appalling (Leggat, 2007). A male commentator suggested that good commentators understand the game by having played it at a high level themselves and that you would not expect to hear a male commentating on a netball game. One viewer of the game stated, “Football is a chance for men to block out having to interact with women for just 90 minutes, having a female commentator is just wrong” (Leggat, 2007). Female athletes often experience sexploitation, which in its simplest form is the sexualising of sportswomen (ASC, 2011). Women in sport often feel that the only way to get media attention and a focus on women’s sports is to emphasise “the sexual attributes of females athletes, especially the visibility of their bodies” (ASC, 2011). The media gives coverage to sportswomen based on their looks and sex appeal not on their success and accomplishments as an athlete (ASC, 2011). Fortunately, the sexploitation of women in sport generally occurs in entertainment media such as magazines (ASC, 2010, p.v). Ana Ivanovic is a former world number one tennis player from Serbia (AnaIvanovic, 2011). Despite her great success, Ivanovic has been on the cover of FHM, Sports Illustrated and the Sunday Times Magazines dressed in next to nothing in provocative positions, as shown below. In addition to how sportswomen look is how they dress. Venus Williams caused a media stir when she wore flesh coloured underpants during a game and raised the question was she or wasn’t she wearing any (Ellis, 2010, para.2). There were little reports on how she actually played but there was more concern on what she was wearing. Former Minister for Sport and Youth, Kate Ellis wrote an article titled ‘Treating Women’s Sport like a Trivial Fashion Contest’ where she is quoted as saying, “it seems that sporting fashion has been a key part of how female athletes are quite literally getting themselves into the picture” (Ellis, 2010, para.4). The full article can be accessed here: [|http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/treating-womens-sport-like-a-trivial-fashion-contest/]

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS
<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: justify;">The previous discussions of women in sport are largely due to the notion of femininity and masculinity. At an early age, children acquire personality traits, emotional responses, skills, behaviours and preferences that are considered appropriate for their sex; this is known as sex typing (Burton & Weston, 2004, p.507). For example, it is considered appropriate for young boys to play with trucks and young girls to play with dolls. A clip from the Walt Disney film Summer Magic shows how it is thought girls should act and behave. media type="youtube" key="1UBb087qHvI?rel=0" height="315" width="420" align="center" <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">The whole notion of any sport is to compare the strength and ability of one body against another and this is firmly placed in the masculine domain (Evans, 2006, p.548). Therefore, sport, as an active pastime, is not considered a feminine activity (Evans, 2006, p.548). The dominant stereotypes of femininity and masculinity, the sex typing, are reasons why adolescent girls do not participate in sport, why the media focus more coverage on men’s sports, why female sports commentators are rare, and why women use their bodies to gain media attention to their sport. Thus, women in sport are affected by the notion of what is considered feminine and so too are men by what is considered masculine. “A bifurcation of what it means to be masculine and feminine continues to polarize relations between the sexes in ways that generally subordinate, marginalize, or undermine women” (Anderson, 2009, p.4). However, at the same time both men and women influence this issue by continuing the out-dated, social and cultural stereotypes of what a man should be and what a woman should be. Gender stereotyping is important to discuss, as this issue does not just exist in the sport industry. Women CEO’s, women on the frontline, men as nurses and men as stay at home dads are just some examples of where this issue is relevant. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">The feminist movement tries to dispel the notion of gender stereotypes of ‘women in the kitchen’ so to speak. “Feminism is not concerned with hating and blaming men, but is concerned with redressing social structures to include women equally” (Carroll, 2011). Being pretty, apologetic, submissive, agreeable and private are the types of ideals, associated with women and seen previously in the Walt Disney film clip, which feminists aim to stop. With this in mind, public health experts should look into producing a campaign, aimed at youths in the school environment, to dispel the gender stereotypes within society and the schoolyard. In addition, further campaigns should encourage young men and women to step outside the norm of their gender whether in sports, career or personal interests and provide examples of successful men and women doing exactly that.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">ANALYSIS AND REFLECTION
<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">As an avid sport watcher, I knew of the inequalities between men and women in sport, just like most people. However, I did not realise the vast inequalities until after researching women and sport and I was genuinely shocked. This assessment piece has opened my eyes up to the issues surrounding women and sport and the consequences of that. The artefact represents the identification of the current issues and thus shows a small change in society. The artefact asks viewers to ‘pledge your support’ which is the exact need of men and women. To pledge their support for a change in adolescents girls participation rates, media coverage on women’s sports, female commentators and the sexploitation of female athletes. Personally, this artefact has encouraged me to support women in sports more. In addition, I now will stop and think about gender stereotypes. I now look during media sports coverage of the women’s sports covered and participation of women either in that sport as a commentator or a competitor. I was so glad to see on Melbourne Cup Day just gone that Channel 7 had a female commentator Francesca Cumani. Although she was the only one, it was great to see a woman on the panel who knew her stuff. This assessment piece has taught me to look further into the reasons behind issues in society.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> AnaIvanovic. (2011). Bio. Retrieved from http://www.anaivanovic.com/bio/learn-more-about-ana.
==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"> Anderson, E.D. (2009). The Maintenance of Masculinity Among the Stakeholders of Sport. //Sport Management Review, 12,// 3-14. doi: 10.1016/j.smr.2008.09.003. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">ASP World Tour. (2011). Stephanie Gilmore. Retrieved from http://www.aspworldtour.com/surfers/womens-profiles/stephanie-gilmore/. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). // Sports and Physical Activity: A statistical overview 2011 //. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/19BD2125C6A01444CA2578DC0001E519?opendocument. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Australian Sports Commission. (2010). Towards a level playing field: sport and gender in Australian media. Retrieved from http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/356209/Towards_a_Level_Playing_Field_LR.pdf. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"> Australian Sports Commission. (2011). Sexploitation. Retrieved from http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women/resources/issues/sexploitation. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Better Health Channel. (2010). Sport and children. Retrieved from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sport_and_children. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Burton, L., Westen, D., and Kowalski, R. (200). // Psychology: Australian and New Zealand Edition //(2nd ed.). Milton, QLD: John Wiley and Sons. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Carroll, J. (2011). PUB209 Health Culture and Society: Week 3 [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved from http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_74639_1%26url%3D. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"> Ellis, K. (2010, January 27). Treating women’s sport like a trivial fashion contest [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/treating-womens-sport-like-a-trivial-fashion-contest/. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"> Evans, B. (2006). ‘I’d feel ashamed’: Girls Bodies and Sport Participation. // Gender, Place and Culture, 13, // 547-561. doi: 10.1080/09663690600858952. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;"> Leggat, D. (2007, April 28). Female soccer commentator shocks the boys. // The New Zealand Herald. // Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10436609. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Media Report to Women. (2010). Industry Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.mediareporttowomen.com/statistics.htm ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Ordman, V.L. & Zillmann, D. (1994). Women sports reporters: have they caught up? // Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 18, // 66-75. doi: 10.1177/019372394018001005. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">SamStosur. (2011). Bio. Retrieved from http://samstosur.com/bio/. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Scheerder, J., Thomis, M., Vanreusel, B., Lefevre, J., Roland, R., Vanden Eynde, B., & Beunen G.P. (2006). Sport participation among females from adolescence to adulthood: a longitudinal study. // International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 41, // 413-430. doi: 10.1177/1012690207077702. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Van Daalen, C. (2005). Girls’ experiences in physical education: competition, evaluation and degradation. // The Journal of School Nursing, 21 //, 115-121. Retrieved from http://www.yorku.ca/cvandaal/files/girlsExperiencesInPE.pdf. ==

==<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">Women’s Health Magazine. (2011). I support women in sport. Retrieved from http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/womens-health/women-in-sport/. == <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">**LEARNING ENGAGEMENT AND REFLECTION TASK** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm; text-align: left;">"You Run Like A Girl" Mia, your artefact is excellent. That one picture perfectly depicts how women in sport have been treated over the years. I could not believe that when women did get media coverage, a completely different angle and description was used to describe their success. I like the point you made about media being influential in society. That is so true. If the media are using words such as 'luck' and not showing women's sports you can easily see how society follows suit in their thinking. Let's hope that the media can change to show hard working role models to young girls. From your Wiki you can easily see that you are passionate about this topic. Well done! "Women Deserve a Sporting Chance in the Media"  <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Caitlin you chose such a great artefact. That one short clip portrays all the issues to do with women in sport. I love how they said that being bigger, faster and stronger (which some men are) isn't all there is do to with being an athlete. What a great point to make! "When I look in the mirror I see an athlete"...if only the media could do the same when they see female athletes, rather than seeing them as a sex symbol. You also had some really interesting statistics in your Wiki, which put a really bad light on women in sport. Lets hope this can change. Great work.

<span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -40px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: -25px; width: 1px;"> Ellis, K. (2010, January 27). Treating women’s sport like a trivial fashion contest [Web log post]. Retrieved from [].