Women's+equality+in+sports.+Will+it+ever+happen?

Adam Jeffery

Student # 07204817
Tutor - Sophie Miller

====Women have a vital role to play in sport and its development throughout the world. They can be involved in many ways including as an athlete, coach, volunteer, official and in administration. Although women can be very valuable to sport there is still great gender inequalities shown. A 2011 newspaper article from the Montreal Gazette is a cultural artefact which depicts the inequality towards women in sport. The article is titled "Equality in sports? Women aren't there yet". It gives a great insight into the topic and includes information on the history of the women's rights movement, not only in sport. This includes the Suffragette movement and the famous incident involving Emily Wilding Davison. It also divulges the current situation in sport in today's society.====


 * Public Health Issue:**

====The public health issue examined in this analysis is the inequality towards women's involvement in sport. The analysis will discover how and why this happens and also investigate the lack of media coverage of it compared to that of males. Sport has many benefits to a persons health so it is therefore very important that a great percentage of the population, including females, are involved. This analysis will discover the barriers which impede women's participation in sport, the lack of media coverage women's sport receives and also what is being done to address the issue through campaigns and policies. After these issues are investigated the picture will be much clearer as to why there is such inequality towards women's sport.====

====As stated before women have a vital role to play in sport and in many forms. Research has shown that regular participation in sport leads to significant health benefits. Some of the benefits associated include positive psychological, physiological and social changes. Also engaging in physical activity regularly has been shown to reduce the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and obesity (ABS, 2009).====

====For sports participation to increase amongst females it is widely agreed upon that sport must be introduced to them at a young age. A study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009) discovered the rates of children participating in organised sport outside of school hours. The study then compared males to females and also analysed the difference in the participation rates in each state and territory in Australia. The study found that throughout childhood males had a higher rate of participation than females and that this rate continues to increase. During the ages of 5-8 only 51 percent of females are involved in sport. Females show a 14 percent increase from the 5-8 to the 9-11 age groups before they suffer a 10 percent drop during the 11-14 age group. This drop in participation coincides with girls reaching adolescence and shows the effect this has on their motivation to be involved with sport. Poor-self image at a delicate stage of a girls transition into adulthood is the main reason attributed to this drop in participation (Australian Sports Commission, 2011).====

====A regularly discussed idea to address this problem is the benefits or otherwise of same-sex physical education classes. There is strong arguments both for and against this. Boys and girls learn and mature at different rates so there is good reasoning for their separation as the class programs can be tailored to suit each gender. Also in physical education children can have the tendency to 'show off' or at the other extreme not even participate in the class activities. Same sex classes can help overcome this problem. On the negative side of things it is argued that same-sex classes put social skills, which can be developed through physical activity, on hold between the genders (Short, 2007). One particular journal article related to this topic claimed that same-sex classes make students feel more comfortable but conversely most teachers involved in the study believed that they increased competition and bullying, especially amongst boys (Gray & Wilson, 2006).====

====Women's participation in sport has a long history. It is a history marked by division and discrimination but also one filled with major accomplishments by female athletes and important advances for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. In the past women were often perceived as being too weak and that sport harmed their health, particularly reproductive health (United Nations, 2010). Stereotypes like these are not as prevalent in today's society but there is still a noticeable inequality between male and female sport which is being addressed through various methodologies.====

====There is many ways in which this problem is being attempted to be solved. One particular group which is dedicated to this issue is the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation, which is based in the United Kingdom. They aim to make sport and fitness a part of everyday life for all women and girls. They also focus on making being active more attractive to their target audience by helping, inspiring, and persuading (Women's sport and fitness foundation, 2011). In Australia various sports have programs to target girls to get involved with sport. A campaign run to address this is the "I Support Women in Sport Campaign", which is a partnership between Women's Health magazine, Rexona and Channel 7. This campaign aims to encourage over 100,000 Australian women who currently do not participate in sport, to pledge their support and become involved in a sporting activity during 2011.They use the services of several Australian female sport stars to be role models and help spread the message.====

====There is however limitations to these methods which are being used to address the issue. Although having positive role models is a great way of connecting with the target audience, a lot of women may not have a personal connection to these people and therefore will not feel obliged to act on what they are being told. There are many negative stereotypes associated with women being involved in sport that need to be broken down over time so that the playing field can become equal.====

**Cultural and Social Analysis:**
====The participation of women at all levels of sport is marked by division and discrimination that is reinforced by negative gender stereotypes. Strict gender segregation is present in all levels of sport and professional sport remains the unquestioned domain of men. It is a widely held belief in society that women's sport is far inferior to men's so therefore there is a massive difference in interest levels. The media has a great influence in the way they portray women's sport in comparison to men's. For example when the Associated Press named its top 10 athletes of 2009, 2 were racehorses (Broderick, 2010). It is also interesting to note that of all sport coverage in the media only 5 percent is dedicated to females (Phillips, 1996). Furthermore, in commentary there is also a preference for males and very few females are involved in the commentary of men's sport. As the media has so much influence on the population, if there is so little coverage of women's sport chances are that the majority of the public will not follow it and become involved.====

====The issue of inequality for women in sport is one of great importance in today's society. The benefits of sport and physical activity are essential for the health of the individual and the community. Sport and participation is also determined by culture and the beliefs of that particular societal group. Children are the people who sport can have the greatest effect on their development. It can help them develop valuable life skills as well as the physical benefits (Australian Sports Commission, 2011). Sport also has many physical and social benefits for adult, so having a high participation rate in sport for females will benefit the entire population. Studies have shown that active children are more likely to mature into physically active adults (State Government of Victoria, 2010). This evidence punctuates the importance of having a high rate of participation amongst children, especially females, so that they are more likely to continue their involvement through to adulthood.====

====This analysis gives many areas that Public Health experts should focus on to address the issue. Increasing media coverage of women's sport could be very effective in raising awareness of it and getting more people involved. Seeing elite female athletes regularly in the media could be a motivating factor in making people realise that women's sport deserves equal respect. Another area is the participation rates amongst children, most notably girls. Developing positive sporting behaviours at young ages will help people continue with physical activity activity throughout their lives so they can continue to gain the many health benefits these behaviours bring.====

===='Equality in sports? Women aren't there yet' is a newspaper article representing the inequality that has been shown to women's sport. It shows that this has been something that has been occurring for a long time and occurs in all sports all over the world. The inequalities are not only amongst the athletes but also in the administration of sports and throughout the media. It tells of how many organisations are striving to balance it out although with little success thus far. The article also highlights some positives, such as how females will be able to compete in boxing for the first time at the next Olympic games in 2012. Overall though, it depicts an unfair history for women's sport.====

====To reflect through this assessment I have been given the opportunity to anlayse the inequality and gender stereotyping in sports throughout society. I have understood how gender is seen on a society level, and the different behaviours, beliefs and activities that are seen as being appropriate amongst society. This stereotyping and beliefs are then applied in a sporting environment, which has led to a long history of inequality for women. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviour, activities and attributes that a particular society consider appropriate for men and women (WHO, 2011). Having such distinct roles and behaviours can lead to gender equalities where one group is favoured and this is what has occurred in sport. I have concluded that even though society is aware of this inequality and is addressing it, there has been little success and it is far from being resolved. The current methodologies and government efforts need to be continued as well as a push for more media coverage of female sport. Through this the gap can begin to be reduced although it is doubtful there will ever be complete equality.====


 * Learning Engagement and Reflection:**

__Wiki:__ Drinks and Gen Y? - Bloody Idiots __Comment title__: Great work!
 * 1.**

This was a great wiki, I found it to be well constructed and quite interesting. I also thought the cultural artefact was very well chosen as it related to the topic perfectly. So excellent job! This issue is one of great importance in today's society as alcohol is the number one drug of choice for Generation Y. It is the cause of many health and social problems.It is also responsible for a large number of road accidents, relationship problems and financial issues. For myself personally, from reading this wiki and doing some research I will be more careful and aware of my own drinking behaviours in the future. The problems associated with the consumption of alcohol will only get worse unless Generation Y can improve their behaviours on a whole and be better role models for the next generation.

http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/message/view/Drinks+and+Gen+Y%3F+-+Bloody+Idiots/45748740

__Wiki:__ Genuine or Genuine Photo Opportunity - The Truth about closing the gap __Comment title:__ Nice work
 * 2.**

Great job on this wiki. It was very well done and enjoyable to read and raised an issue of great importance in Australian society today. It is great that the government is addressing this issue with their 'close the gap' initiative and I believe it is something that the government places great importance on. Although as the statistics you have shown us suggest there is still a long way to go before equality is reached between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Access to quality health care is obviously still going to be a problem as many of the indigenous community live in remote areas where health care is limited. I hope that the government continues use a great deal of resources to address this issue in the future and we can eventually see equality as everyone deserves to be treated equally.

http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/message/view/+Genuine+or+Genuine+Photo+Opportunity+%E2%80%93+The+truth+about+closing+the+gap/45753108

**References:**
Australian Bureau of Statisitics. (2011). Children’s participation. Retrieved November 3, 2011 from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/19BD2125C6A01444CA2578DC0001E519?opendocument

State Government Victoria. (2010). Sport and Recreation. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/sport

NSW Department of Health. (2011). Healthy Kids. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au/default.aspx

Gray, C. & Wilson, J. (2006). Teachers experiences of a single-sex initiative in a co-educational school. //Educational Studies,// 32, 285-298. doi: 10.1080/03055690600631226

Murray Phillips. (1996). //An Illusory Image: A Report on the Media Coverage and Portrayal of// //Women’s Sport in Australia//. Australian Sports Commission. Canberra.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). Feature article 3: Women in sport. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4156.0.55.001Feature+Article3May%202009

Australian Sports Commission. (2011). Sporting attire. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women/resources/issues/attire

Beamish, M. (2011, March 7). Equality in sports? Women aren't there yet. //Montreal Gazette.// Retrieved from http://www.montreal gazette.com

Short, P. (2007). Single sex education vs. Co-education: Better for all or just some. Retrieved November 4, 2011 from http://sitemaker.umich.edu/short.356/physical_education

United Nations. (2007). Women, gender equality and sport. Retrieved November 5, 2011 from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/public/Women%20and%20Sport.pdf

Womens Sport and Fitness Foundation. (2011). What we do. Retrieved November 5, 2011 from http://wsff.org.uk/what-we-do

Australian Women sport & Recreation Association. (2011). I support women in sport campaign. Retrieved November 5, 2011 from http://australianwomensport.com.au/default.asp?PageID=334

Broderick, E. (2011). Women in sport hit the grass ceiling. Retrieved November 5, 2011 from http://www.hreoc.gov.au/about/media/media_releases/op_ed/20100521_women.html

State Government of Victoria. (2010). Sport and children. Retrieved November 5, 2011 from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sport_and_children

World Health Organization. (2011). Gender. Retrieved November 5, 2011 from http://www.who.int/topics/gender/en/