You+run+like+a+girl!

 **Name: ** Mia Mison
 * Student No: ** n7583044
 * Tutor: ** Sophie Miller

** “The woman who challenged the all-male tradition.” **




 * The Artefact **

These snapshots capture the moment when, in 1967, Jock Semple, a Boston Marathon race official, attempted to forcibly remove competitor Kathrine Switzer by attacking her from behind. He claimed she was “ruining his race” as it was a man’s sport. Up until 1972 women had been banned from competing in marathons as it was dubbed ‘a man’s tradition’, however during this time Kathrine Switzer trained during the night, determined to become a successful runner. In the time since, Switzer has gone on to run a remarkable 35 marathons, winning the New York City Marathon in 1974.


 * Public Health Issue **

This artefact is an iconic representation of the inequality between males and females in sport. In today’s society these inequalities still exist and are having a negative impact on the involvement and success of women in sport. The sporting media plays a huge role in this inequality by primarily celebrating the success of our male athletes it is reinforcing the unimportance of our female athletes (Bernstein, 2002).Any athlete should be given equal opportunities and exposure regardless of gender however this is not the case and put simply male athletes’ accomplishments are viewed as more significant (Acosta & Carpenter, 2008).


 * Literature Review **

Traditionally women have not played a significant role in relation to sport on television and in sporting magazines. A study conducted by the //Australian Sports Commission// in 2000 confirms that this trend has not changed with 2% of total sports coverage on television dedicated to women. Radio was surveyed showing a figure of 1.4% of total sports broadcasts and sporting magazines covering 6.8%. As a result of this lack of exposure society relates sport to the male gender and as a result it is having a negative effect on the involvement of females in sport, with fewer opportunities for girls and women to enter areas dominated by males, such as commentary. Females are not getting an even amount of exposure in sport within the media industry and this could be put down to the male domination fulfilling sport related job roles. A study conducted on Sports Illustrated by Lapchick (2008) found that 94% of sports editors, 90% of assistant sports editors, 93% of columnists, and 91% of reporters were males.

The media plays an extremely influential role in how society perceives women in sport (Lumpkin 2009). For this reason it is crucial that decisions made by networks regarding which sports to cover, take into account not only ratings but also gender equality so that both women and men receive adequate coverage of their sports at a competitive level. Furthermore sports coverage affects the attitudes and values of viewers concerning which sports are appropriate for females (Lumpkin 2009).

A study conducted by The Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles (1994) revealed that there are significant differences in the way in which sports news describes the success and failure of men and women in sport. Success for women was associated with words such as, ‘luck’ compared to men who were accredited for their ‘hard work’. Failure was a result of being too ‘nervous’ for women, whereas men failed due to the excellent performance from their opponents. These negative connotations associated with women in sport are detrimental to their image within the media and as a result fewer females (from girls to women) are encouraged/inspired to enter into the sporting world, especially media-an area that ‘specialises’ in portraying women negatively (Fenk &Kensicki 2002).

The way in which women are represented within the sporting industry today draws relevance to the Marxist feminist theory. This theory recognises capitalism as the cause for women’s second-class status within society focussing on the exploitation of women workers especially those of colour in past times. This ‘second-class’ status is still evident in regards to sporting media and the involvement of women within sport. Women who partake in sports that are traditionally viewed as being masculine, challenge social norms and as a result are made to feel as though they are doing something ‘wrong’ (Nelson 1991). Furthermore these same sports have traditionally been commentated and reported on by males, resulting in higher numbers of male correspondents.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Throughout history there has been a constant struggle between gender equality within sport, however parallels can be drawn between gender inequalities in sport and those within the workplace (Flanagan 2008). This once again relates back to the Marxist feminist theory, which stems the gender inequalities in sport back to the preconceived attitudes regarding women in the workplace. In order to fix one we must first look to address both as a joint issue (Flanagan 2008).


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 15pt;">Cultural and Social Analysis **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Traditionally women in sport received little to no coverage and although there has been an increase in the number of females in sport, research consistently shows favourism from the media in regards to coverage in of men’s sports (Duncan 2006). In a recent study it is evident that women are being compared to men in sport and ultimately finishing second with Sports Illustrated, one of the current most influential sporting magazines, being found to provide far inferior coverage of women’s sport in comparison to men’s sport (Lumpkin & Williams 1991). In one particular feature article tennis player Anna Kournikova was described using sexist language; “primarily for her pretty face, curvaceous body and frequently revealing clothes" (Silver, 1998). These types of commentary depict women in sport as sex symbols and fail to provide them with any recognition or credit for their athletic performances.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Recently Kelli Underwood, a radio and television sports journalist and sports caster, lost her position as an AFL broadcaster; a job she has held at channel 10 for the past 2 years. She broadcasted a total of 12 games in 2 years, there are 196 games played each season. She was also the first ever woman AFL commentator, with the very first game of AFL being broadcasted in 1923. AFL footy fans voted her last year’s most annoying commentator-receiving 39.5% of the votes. A study published in the //Journal of Sport and Social Issues// states that sports commentary in general remains a world dominated by men, with 96.5% of the commentators in their study sample male. In spite of this however there are some very successful Australian female sports commentators, Johanna Griggs, Giaan Rooney, Alicia Molik, etc. however the common theme with these female commentators is the sport they are commentating; it’s either dominated equally by both men and women such as tennis and swimming or it is a female dominated sport such as netball. Less than 4% of commentators on sporting news are female (Messner 2003).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">As the world’s current most overweight nation, one of our main priority areas is physical activity and instilling this idea into children of being physically active at a young age and therefore developing healthy lifestyle habits (AIHW 2004). Children look up to their sporting icons as inspiration to follow in their footsteps, with the lack of female athlete publicity comes a lack of inspiration for young girls, which is denying them opportunity to discover their natural sporting talents and pursue them. As a society we are still more comfortable with women in traditionally female sports as these fit with our preconceived notions of what is ‘normal’ for a specific gender (Flanagan, 2008).


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 15pt;">Analysis of the Artefact and Personal Reflection **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">My artefact represents the constant struggle for females to be recognised as equals in sport. It represents the extremist views of some males in regards to the notion that women may be able to engage, and succeed, in the same sports as them. I have always been aware about inequity in sport as I grew up playing sport and have seen first-hand the implications gender inequality has had on the involvement of girls in sport, however after researching this topic in more depth I am surprised to learn just how unequal the playing field is when it comes to media within the sporting industry. In my future learning I will take with me the knowledge I have gained whilst researching this topic. Women and girls in sport deserve equal coverage and opportunities (there is no reason why they should not) however this is not the case. Young girls growing up should be able to watch their favourite athletes on television or read about them in sporting magazines without being exposed to sexist comments or photos.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Show your support! **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> [|I Support Women In Sport]


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 15pt;">References **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2004). A rising epidemic; obesity in Australian children and adolescents.

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). Overweight and Obesity.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Sports Commission. (1999-2002). National Policy on Women and Girls In Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity. Retrieved on October 22nd, 2011, from: http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Duncan, M. C. (2006). Gender warriors in sport: Women and the media. In A. A. Raney & J. Bryant (Eds.), Handbook of sports and media (pp. 231-252). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Flanagan, K. (2008). Gender Barriers in Sport. Retrieved October 17, 2011, from: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/2050

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kian, E. M. (2009). Framing Differences in Gender-Related Sport Coverage by Internet Sites and Newspapers. //Online Journalism,// pp1-23.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lapchick, R. (2007). Female representation in feature articles published by Sports Illustrated in the 1990s. Retrieved on October 17, 2011, from: http://www.bus.ucf.edu/sport/public/ides/index.htx.

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lumpkin, A., Williams, L.D. (1991). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">An analysis of Sports Illustrated feature articles, 1954-1987. //Sociology of Sport Journal,// pp. 16-32.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Messner, M. A., Duncan, M. C., & Cooky, C. (2003). Silence, sports bras, and wresting porn: Women in televised sport news and highlights shows. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 27, 38-51.

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Messner, M. A., Duncan, M. C., & Kerry Jensen. (1993). Separating the men from the girls: The gendered language of televised sports. //<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gender & Society, 7 //<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">: pp. 121-137.