Equality+or+Fairness?+What+do+women+really+want.

Name: Zara Beale Student Number: n7535465 Tutor: Sophie Miller

** Running like a Girl: How Equitable is the Playing Field when it comes to Women in Sport? ** media type="custom" key="11154870" align="center"

=**Artefact**=

The artefact provided is a video created by Sports Hydrant promoting Sport for Women Day. Activities during the day such as dancing and tug-of-war are filmed as well as encouraging interviews with famous elite sportswomen promoting the Sport for Women Day event. Not only do the interviews promote the event, they also discuss the importance of sports and physical activity for females of all ages helping to raise awareness for the Australian community. This artefact displays the importance for providing sporting opportunities for females in the Australian culture and suggests Sport for Women Day as a strategy to provide greater awareness for the public.

=**Public Health Issue**=

The video promoting Sport for Women Day identifies the major public health issue of the participation of women in sport. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) participation levels in sport are increasing but there is an overall decline in the participation of women in sport. This is reinforced by the Australian Sporting Commission stating that //“…there has been very little change over the past 10 years in the participation of women and girls in all aspects of sport…”// while the artefact promotes a very positive outlook for females participating in sport it also shows that the continuation of awareness and information is still vital to increasing the level of female participants in physical activity.

=**Literature Review**=

Women’s sports and how equitable the playing field really is has always been a highly debated topic within society. The Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests that although since 2005-2006 the number of sporting participants increased from 10.5 million to 11.1 million in 2011 there was an overall decrease from 66-64% which was largely influenced by the decline of participation from women. As well as a decline in the participation of women and girls in sport the overall media coverage of women in sport is also lacking receiving only 9% of all sports coverage in Australia (Australian Sports Commission, 2011). Over time, certain sports have been and still are considered inappropriate for females and males to participate in (Pfister, 2010). Hardin and Greer (2009) discuss that sports such as rugby and surfing are considered more masculine than sports such as gymnastics and volleyball while activities such as basketball, swimming and tennis are neutral. This suggests that although some sports are being considered to be less masculine there is still awhile to go before women can break the gender stereotypes of certain sports.

There are many cultural forces helping to reinforce the gender stereotypes in female sports. When you consider that men are the highest participants in sport (ABS, 2010) their opinion and beliefs would play a large factor in the perception of female sports. A study conducted by Anderson (2008), focuses on how the reproduction of sexist and anti-feminine attitudes among men occur. It was discovered that when segregating males into a homosocial group limiting their interactions with females they tended to reinforce the typical sexist gender stereotypes against women. However, the study also investigated what happened when placing the same men in a gender-integrated sport; cheerleading. While in this group they provided a more positive attitude and respect for females in sport. Therefore, this study suggests that by participating in gender-integrated group sports there is a more positive result for abolishing the negative stereotypes against women and women’s sports.

Female role models are an important aspect for women’s sport by providing a positive message for women and girls (Lough, 1998). Unfortunately, most current female sporting role models have been over-sexualised in the media. The Australian Sports Commission describes this as sexploitation //“ In a context of sexploitation, the value of the female athlete is judged primarily in terms of her body type and attractiveness, rather than for the qualities that define her as an athlete.”// Multiple studies have been conducted about the issue of sexploitation, one study by Harrison and Secarea (2010) examined whether the sexualisation of women basketball players influenced the perceptions of their gender orientation and athletic ability. The results showed that the sexualised athlete was considered to be heterosexual, with stereotypical characteristics and a lower athletic ability than if she was un-sexualised (Harrison & Secarea, 2010), and yet this is unsurprising.

Another study conducted by Knight and Giuliano (2002) quantitatively analysed to what effect focusing on a female athlete’s attractiveness instead of their athleticism has had on people’s perception of athletes. Ninety-two American students were asked to analyse two fictitious newspaper or magazine articles relating to a swimmer, emphasizing either the athlete’s physical attractiveness or their athleticism. After reading the article they were asked to fill out a sheet rating categories including femininity, respectability and athleticism on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 10 (very much). The results of this study continue to show that a female athlete whose attractiveness was the main focus was perceived to have a lower physical ability. This reinforces that people’s perceptions of athletes are greatly influenced by the type of media they are portrayed in (Knight & Giuliano, 2002). Sexualisation, sexploitation call it what you will it has the potential to not only lessen a female athletes perceived ability but also their career. It could also affect the sport in which they play making it difficult for future females to see the sport as anything more than sexualised (Australian Sports Commission, n.d.).

The results of current research clearly reinforces that although there has been a considerable increase in female sporting participation levels over the years there are still typical gender stereotypes, gender stereotyped sports and that the sexualisation of female athletes does not improve their perceived atheism but can prove detrimental to their sporting career and chosen sport. There are various other barriers affecting the overall participation of women in sport including a perceived lack of time, minimal options available, lack of childcare facilities or options and gender stereotypes (Australian Womensport and Recreation Association, n.d.). Thankfully, it is not all bad for women in sport as there are current studies and strategies being devised specifically for the improvement and continuation of the participation of women and girls in sport.

=**Cultural and Social Analysis**=

Throughout the years sexism and social stigmas have clouded the possibilities for females participating in physical activity. During the 20th century it was believed that sports and physical activity were too strenuous and portrayed unladylike behaviour (Motley & Lavine, 2001. As cited in Spears & Swanson, 1978). Unfortunately, these stigmas can still be noted in today’s society. However, there are many groups and movements planning to increase female participation rates in physical activity.

The Australian Sporting Commission (ASC) created a strategy that has been outstandingly influential within the sporting community for Australian women. With the creation of the National Policy on Women and Girls in Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity 1999-2002 and Towards Better Sport: good practices for women and girls in sport, they have aimed to assess the current barriers women face participating in sport and determining ways to abolish these barriers. These policies are determined to improve the physical activity levels of women in Australia by improving sporting facilities, creating more sporting and recreational opportunities and increasing the number of women in decision making roles. They believe that by implementing these strategies women and girls in the Australian society will have more opportunities and there will be an overall increase in participation levels (Australian Sporting Commission, 1999).

Sports for Women are another organisation helping to develop and promote women’s sports. This is being done by providing an open forum discussing the major challenges faced in women’s sports and building a positive profile for the public. They have also created an event called “Sport for Women Day” which was first held in March of this year. The event saw 150 elite sports women attending the day celebrating a healthy sporting lifestyle for the women of Australia (Sports for Women, 2011). Other organisations such as the Australian Womensport and Recreation Association (AWRA) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) are providing information and monitory grants towards the improvement of female participation levels in physical activity and sport.

With the females of society being clearly affected by the inequalities within sport and physical activity it is important for public health to focus on the changes that need to be made. With organisations and researchers already providing information about the barriers and solutions for improving equality the public health sector needs to focus on the continuation of their ideas and suggestions. Considering the current strategies and suggestions provided by organisations and social groups relating to women and women’s sports it is clear that society is at least part of the way towards creating a fair and potentially equal playing field.

=**Artefact Analysis and Personal Reflection**=

Within women’s sports there are many reasons why females decide to not participate in sport including over sexualisation and gender stereotypes. The artefact shown, a promotional video for Sport for Women Day, provides a positive outlook and acts as an key strategy to help improve the participation level of females in sport. This is crucial for abolishing current stereotypical barriers and providing strategies to help improve and continue the levels at which women are physically active.

The topic of an equal playing field and sexism in sport hit very close to home for me as I play competitive women’s basketball. During my time playing since 2005 I have felt pressure from male influences to stop playing due to sexist remarks and many gender stereotypes such as women belong at home and don’t provide a strong level of play. Unfortunately, gender stereotypes are one of the major reasons females choose to not participate in sport (Australian Womensport and Recreation Association, n.d.). This assessment has shown me that equality on the playing field is difficult to achieve based on the history surrounding women’s sports and even with improved media attention, more options and opportunities women are not built to the standard of men’s sports. However, this assessment has also shown me that perhaps it is not equality that women are after but fairness.

=Reflection Task= //You run like a girl!// This was a great artefact to use for the topic. It helps to show that sexism in sport has always been an issue even since the late 60’s. The study where you discussed how the sports news represents athletes during their successes and failures was really interesting. I hadn’t ever really realised the difference in words that they used to describe events in both male and female sports. So I’ll definitely be keeping a closer eye on what words they use in sports media. You did a really good job covering the research and social aspects of equality in sport. It’s great that you included a link to the I Support Women in Sport foundation and was a really strong way to conclude your analysis. Good job.

//Girl please! My mascara runs faster than you do.// I know everyone’s saying it but it’s a really great title, very eye catching and probably one of the best titles in the Wiki. All your major points were great and really informative about women’s sports and women in sport. Not only did the artefact display the clear issue that two of our top ten women in sport are horses but it was also memorable and provided information about the I Support Women in Sport campaign. Your personal reflection provided a really great example of where equality in sport is possibly headed and as a whole your Wiki was memorable and greatly informative.

=**References**=

Anderson, E. (2008), “I Used to Think Women Were Weak”: Orthodox Masculinity, Gender Segregation, and Sport. Sociological Forum, 23: 257–280. doi: 10.1111/j.1573-7861.2008.00058.x Retrieved from []

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2010, December 21st). 4177.0 – Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia, 2009-2010. Retrieved October 20th, 2011, from []

Australian Sports Commission. (1999). National Policy on Women and Girls in Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity 1999-2002. Retrieved from []

Australian Sports Commission. (2011, May 21st). //New report reveals poor coverage of women in sport //. Retrieved October 20th, 2011, from []

Australian Sports Commission. (n.d.). Sexploitation: Participating in Sport: Australian Sports Commission. Factsheet provided by the ASC. Retrieved October 21st 2011 from []

Australian Sports Commission. (n.d.). Towards better sport: good practice. Retrieved October 21st from []

Australian Womensport and Recreation Association. (n.d.). National Womensport and Recreation Survey: An Executive Summary. Retrieved from []

Gertrud Pfister (2010): Women in sport – gender relations and future perspectives, Sport in Society, 13:2, 234-24. Retrieved from []

Hardin, M., & Greer, J. D. (2009). The influence of gender-role socialization, media use and sports participation on perceptions of gender-appropriate sports.//Journal of Sport Behavior,////32//(2), 207-207-226. Retrieved from @http://search.proquest.com/docview/215875384?accountid=13380

Harrison, L. A., & Secarea, A. M. (2010). College students' attitudes toward the sexualization of professional women athletes.//Journal of Sport Behavior,////33//(4), 403-403-426. Retrieved from @http://search.proquest.com/docview/792665930?accountid=13380

Knight, J. L., & Giuliano, T. A. (2001). He's a laker; she's a "looker": The consequences of gender-stereotypical portrayals of male and female athletes by the print media.//Sex Roles,////45//(3-4), 217-217-229. Retrieved from @http://search.proquest.com/docview/60427879?accountid=13380

Motley, M. L., & Lavine, M. E. (2001). Century marathon: A race for equality in girls' and women's sports.//Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance,////72//(6), 56-56-59. Retrieved from @http://search.proquest.com/docview/215764920?accountid=13380

Spears, B., & Swanson, R. (1978). History of sport and physical education in the United States. Dubuque, IA: W. C. Brown.

Sport For Women Day. (2011). Sport For Women Day – Official Video [Video file]. Retrieved from []