No+Dunk,+but+good+Fundamentals

Isaac Wright n8353891 Tutor: Sophie Miller

"As to the admission of women to the Games, I remain strongly against it. It was against my will that they were admitted to a growing number of competitions"-Baron Pierre de Coubertin, 1928, founder of the modern olympics, after the International Olympic Commitee accepted a recommendation to include women in the games.

futurama

=**Cultural Artefact**=

The artefact presented was a short clip from the popular television cartoon 'Futurama'. Futurama, was created by Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpson's, and began screening in early 1998. It has since been nominated for several awards and recieved high critical acclaim. The episode in which the clip was taken from, " Amazon Women in the Mood", was first aired on February the 4th, 2001. It was the fifth episode in the show's third season. To get a glimpse of how popular this particular episode was, we can look at the results from a poll posted by the Australian sector of TV.com. A score of 9 out of 10 was unanimously given from the several hundred people who took part in the poll.

=**Public Health Issue**=

Regardless of culture, race or gender, exercise is integral to maintaining good health and wellness. Currently, it is fairly common for health practitioners to prescribe exercise to prevent or treat ill-health (Thurston and Green, 2004). According to a study carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it was concluded that heart diseases were still the leading cause of death of both males and females in Australia (ABS, 2008). Furthermore, several other causes of death in the top 10, including diabetes and respiratory disorders have also been shown in past to have a correlation with levels of exercise. An additional study undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare concluded that three of the top five risk factors attributing to death in Australia were linked to sedentary lifestyle. (AIHW, 2010). These included high blood pressure, obesity and physical inactivity. Mental well being is also affected by exercise. Deslandes (2009) acknowledged that while physical activity itself can act as a stressor, exercise performed at moderate intensities has demonstrated its ability to reduce the effect of other stressors via a range of neurological concepts. These statistics shed light to the importance that physical activity has on our society, and why we should be looking at ways to increase participation.

=Literature Review=

Increasing women's participation in sport is of particular concern to educators, feminists, sociologists, and girl advocacy groups. This is because research has shown that in addition to the physical health benefits mentioned above, there is a positive correlation with the participation in sport with improved academic success, school and university attendance, and increased self-esteem (Cooky, 2009). Adolescent girls self-esteem in particular has been shown to dramatically increase when they particpate in sport (Dishman, 2006). It comes as no surprise then that participation has been linked to greater satisfaction in body image amongst young girls (Centre for Research in Girls and Women in Sport, 1997). Even after all these of this health benefits, we as a society are still finding it hard to get all girls to participate in physical activity. However, it is little wonder that this is the case given the barriers that still impose themselves on female participation.

The ABS conducted a survey in 2009 titled ' Childrens Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities', which collects information regarding non-school time activities in both the 12 months leading up to the interview and the immediate 2 weeks prior. The results indicated that 63% of children participated in organised sport or physical activity outside of school (ABS, 2009). Alarmingly, boys were shown to have significantly higher participation amongst all age groups. In contrast, swimming, which was found to be the most commonly participated in sport, had a higher level of female participants (20%) compared to males (17%)(ABS, 2009). After reviewing studies, it is concluded that exercise promotion to pre-adolescent and adolescent girls is vital in ensuring a long-term relationship between themselves and sport.

The media plays a major role our portrayal of women in sport, and is partially to blame for both the lack of female participants and the negative distorted body-image perceptions that our society is ever so familiar with. Playboy posted a poll in 2000 on the "Sexiest Sports Reporter". It attracted a whopping 221,760 responses, a record at the time for an online-poll posted by a magazine (Staurowsky, 2002). While the amount of females working in the media field as reporters' and the like are increasing, so too is the sexism and sexual objectification that comes with it. A study completed in America in 2003 reinforced the fact when they concluded through textual analysis that reporters still limited their already thin coverage on womens sport in order to facilitate for feature stories on non-serious leisure sports (Cooky et al, 2003).

Closer to home, free-to-air networks are still rarely showing women's sport, and its respective news summary with only the ABC well known for its female coverage. That being said, it could almost be forgotten that the ABC nearly dumped its broadcasts of both women netball and basketball. The network received criticism from politicians and sportswomen alike when it first came to light that regional and women's sport would be dumped due to the high cost associated with its broadcast. Australian netball star Liz Ellis stated that had broadcasts been dumped, it would have been " the single biggest decision to affect women's sport in this country" ( Sydney Morning Herald, 2001).

In order for significant improvements to be made, the common census amongst researchers is that the quantity and quality of media coverage needs to be altered so that female athletes are no longer sexploited, but are portrayed in a non-discriminatory way. Not only could this provide more young girls with positive role models encouraging their participation, but it could positively influence the sexualisation and gender-segregation within our society. In addition, it could potentially lead to an increase in the female consumer base of sporting media and other products, generating a larger market for females in sport.

Access to opportunities is vital for participation in sport, although research has shown that this can be hindered by: a lack of transportation to and from sport activities; lack of funds to pay for equipment and registration fees; lack of organizations that provide sport to girls in urban communities; lack of space and facilities in urban communities; societal gender roles, which often confine girls to the home or limit their mobility outside the home; and societal ideologies that conflate athleticism with masculinity (Sabo, 2004). If we can improve these opportunities, we may have more success. The previously mentioned ABS study found that children who were from a low socio-economic background, and children whose parents were unemployed, were less likely to participate in sport (ABS,2009).

=Cultural and Social Analysis=

Sadly, the truth is that the state of women’s sport is still a somewhat accurate reflection of our society, and the fact that the stereotypes and gender ‘norms’ within it flow through to sport is proof. Males and females have their ‘Own’ sports, a generalization that is educated to youths from a young age. In the previously mentioned study by the ABS in relation to sports participation, no light was made on the fact that less than one percent of girls participating in sport played rugby league, parallel to the statistics that approximately the same amount of boys played netball.

Governments, sporting institutions, athletes, and initiatives are slowly working towards equity in sport through the implementations of framework and ideas, most in which highlight the need for equity in all facets of life before it is found in an element such as sport. An example of such is the Mathare Youth Sports association in Kenya. Initially, the girls in schools were responsible for washing the football shirts while the males were to look after the sporting equipment and do maintenance chores. After a series of gender training work-shops, the idea of who has what responsibility was refined in the eyes of these children. Institutions like this are important in not only breaking down gender-equity barriers in less fortunate countries, but for female empowerment and leadership skills amongst the young girls.

Closer to home, Womensport and recreation New South Wales (WRNSW) have indentified the need to educate young females from a grassroots level. With initiatives such as Breakfast with the Stars in Sydney, where young girls get to meet female athletes, who are potential role models, from various sporting and cultural backgrounds.

All organizations share the same fundamental ideas in order to increase participation. Firstly ideas need to have a ‘girl-centered’ approach. Direct input from females about their needs and interest has to be included. Increasing the amount of female roles of authority is also a must. This includes coaches; referees; trainers, all the way through to the hierarchy and corporate positions of sporting institutions. The international Olympic committee since 1981 have had a share of women on the board, ensuring the female ideas are not overlooked.

French sociologist Jean Baudrillard was once quoted as saying “Sport itself is no longer located in sport as such, but instead in business, in sex, in politics, in the general style of performance” (Baudrillard, 1993). It goes without saying that parallels can be drawn between this statement and the state of our ‘sex-sells’ society. The media emphasises the use of the human body as a marketing tool, and our culture and society have embraced it. As Cooky (et al, 2003) said, " Television has chosen to cautiously follow, rather than lead or promote, the growth in girls' and women's sport".

While research shows it may slowly be getting better, society still has a long way to go before women are equally represented in sport. Until the attitudes and ideals change within it, women will remain on the sidelines objectified and demonized for their femininity (Anderson, 2008) while their male counterparts hog the limelight.

=Artefact Analysis and Personal Learning Reflections=

Futurama is a cartoon set a thousand years from now. In the particular episode, the characters found a lost tribe of Amazonian women. The clip in which I chose was a not so subtle swipe at the Women's National Basketball Association of America. When speaking about their basketball league, the women admit that, "while they can't dunk, they have good fundamental skills." The two human's and the robot proceed to laugh hysterically, ridiculing the fact that the women actually think that their league of basketball could possibly be exciting.

It has long been thought that men can run faster, lift more and jump higher. While it may be biological fact to an extent, a study by Greer ( et al, 2009) has led to myself looking at this from another angle. During the 2004 olympics, the athletics was analysed to see if there was a difference in coverage between genders. What was found was that the males coverage had more camera angles, shot types and special effects per minute of coverage. It is concluded that images like these may have contributed to the populations negative perception that women's sport are somewhat inferior to mens' (Greer, 2009).

What I have learnt in this report is that women's sport is very important as a vehicle in progressing our society's view on gender equity. While it will not change overnight, actions we take now can ensure future generations are closer to gender equality than we ever were.

=References= Anderson, E. (2008b). ‘//I used to think women were weak: //’ Orthodox masculinity, gender-segregation, and sport. Sociological Forum, 2, 257–280.

Australian bureau of statistics- Statistics taken from 4156.0.55.001 - Perspectives on Sport, Jan 2011

Baudrillard, J. (1993), The transparency of evil: //essays on extreme phenomena //

Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. 2003. //Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of // //Racial Inequality in the United States //. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Centre for Research in Girls and Women in Sport. (1997). The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport Report. Physical activity and sport in the lives of young girls: //Physical and mental health dimensions from an interdisciplinary approach //. University of Minnesota.

Cooky, C.. (2009). "//Girls Just Aren't Interested //": The Social Construction of Interest in Girls' Sport. Sociological Perspectives, 52 (2), 259-283. doi: 1817913641)

Cooky, C (2003). "Silence, Sports Bras, And Wrestling Porn". //Journal of sport and social issues //, 27 (1), p. 38.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Deslandes, A., Moraes, H., Ferreira, C., Veiga, H., Silveira, H., Mouta, R.,. . . . (2009). Exercise and mental health: Many reasons to move. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Neuropsychobiology, 59 (4), 191-191-8.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Dishman, R. K., Hales, D. P., Pfeifer, K. A., Felton, G., Saunders, R.,Ward, D. S. et al. (2006). Physical self-concept and self-esteem, mediate cross-sectional relations of physical activity and sport participation with depression symptoms among adolescent girls.Health Psychology, 25, 396–407.

'Futurama'- clip retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feE1G2sJty0

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Greer, J. D., Hardin, M., & Homan, C. (2009). "Naturally" less exciting? visual production of men's and women's track and field coverage during the 2004 olympics. //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, // //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">53 //(2), 173.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Staurowsky, E. J., & DiManno, J. (2002). Young women talking sports and careers: A glimpse at the next generation of women in sport medicine.Women in Sport & Physical Activity Journal,11(1), 127-127.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">The Sydney Morning Herald 25/08/2001, //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ABC slam-dunks plans for sport //

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Thurston M, Green K (2004). Adherence to exercise in later life: how can exercise on prescription programmes be made more effective? //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Health Promotion International // 19 : 379-387.

=<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 14.6667px;">Reflective Exercise =

Student: Jane Hajdu Article: Are YOU a hard working tax paying Australian? Our health care system is in need of Real Action!

While I myself know next to nothing about politics, I do know that, like many politicians, Kevin Rudd failed to deliver on his promises. So often have I heard of the constant battle that is our healthcare system, but never looked into the details, especially the way the that our fellow Queenslanders are struggling up north. At 20 I am still un-enrolled to vote, mostly due to the fact that I never thought my vote would count. But if there is any chance that my vote could help an improved health system, then I would be stupid not to. Like you, I will be making a decision based on policies.

Student: Samuel Bianchi Article: Chlamydia, TV & Pornography- Australia's Generation Y's Sexual Revolution

Wow. While i knew that Sexually Transmitted Infection were rife within our society, i had no idea to the extent of the problem. The statistics you provided were quite alarming, yet even they are not enough to inhibit most of our society's view on unprotected sex. I agree with your reasons why this is happening. The way the media sexploits women is of major concern, yet unfortunately it won't change overnight due to our society's somewhat relaxed view on sexualisation in this era. Good artefact!