Women+in+Sport+and+Media

Name- Andrew Herbert Student Number- n8308900 Tutor- Abbey Diaz Tute- Wednesday 3-4pm

** Running like a Girl: ** ** How Equitable is the Playing Field when it comes to Women in Sport? ** Andrew Herbert n8308900 Tutor- Abbey Diaz


 * __Artefact__**

Image Retrieved from, The Sydney Morning Herald

This artefact is a picture taken from a new football league in America, called the ‘Lingerie Football League’, where visually appealing women dress up in undies and bra and play American football. It depicts that the only way anyone will watch women’s sport is if there are next to naked and visually appealing. It brings to light the inequality in sport and the gaps between the appeal and broadcasting of women’s sport in comparison to men’s. This broadcasting gap is not about ability but appeal. Richard Hinds (2010) point in the Sydney Morning Herald was that the only answer that women’s sport has is to have boob jobs and wear bikinis not talent and ability, showing the grotesque inequality between genders and sports.


 * __Public Health Issue__**

The issue that this artefact raises is the inequality of women’s sport in the media, sponsorship, coverage and all involvement in sport. It represents the lengths it has taken for women’s sport to be recognised and is a sign of media executive’s blurred thoughts on ways to attract viewing of women’s sport. It is a misrepresentation of female athletes and puts them on the sporting field for sex appeal not ability. Showing the inequality of women’s sport compared to that of the talented, skilled counter parts, men’s sports. It raises the issue of coverage and the media and the difference between the different genders and the different lengths it takes for this media coverage.


 * __Literature Review__**

The Australian Sporting Commission (2010) has the view that sport should be available to everyone no matter what level of athlete or who you, coloured, female or disabled should all be able to participate in sport. They state “ The Australian Government is committed to ensuring sporting opportunities are safe, fun and inclusive for all of our community members and to supporting sport to ensure that our nation’s diversity is reflected in participation.” ( Australian Sporting Commission. 2010). This right to equality in sport does not mean that it happens, as they want it to.

The participation rates of females in physical activity over the age of 15 as of 2006 was 62% and for males 64% (Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2011). Yet if week look at actually playing sport men have a higher percentage (ABS, 2011). Then if we take a look at elite sports and its coverage in the media we see this trend of inequality shining through strongly. The Women in sport and recreation in Australia senate inquiry found that media coverage of women’s sport was significantly less then men’s. For radio almost no women’s sport was broadcast only 1.4%, where as 95% was men’s sport (Senate Inquiry, 2006). The South Australian Premier's Council for Women found that for newspaper articles only 4.1% were about female sports stars and teams (Mickan, 2006). Television coverage showed the same trends although studies have not been able to get data from free-to-air channels since 1996. Although when the last study was carried out only 2% of sport coverage was women’s compared to men’s 56% (Phillips, 1996). This lack of media coverage does not mean that women of Australia do not achieve a lot in their sport, with many women going unnoticed for their achievement.

 The NSW Sport and Recreation (2000) found that “Women have made a consistent and significant contribution to Australian sport at all levels, yet their achievements on the whole receive limited coverage by mass media.” This is reflected in the statistics on coverage above. The research into newspaper articles was conducted during a time when many high profile women’s sporting events were taking place yet they still struggled to make the paper ahead of men (Mickan, 2006). Other examples of this achievement is the women’s hockey team, Carrie Webb winning more majors than any other Australian male, Lauren Jackson not only playing for Australia but being named in The team of the Decade for the US-basketball competition (Senate Inquiry, 2006). Despite the fact of the matter is that women still don’t get the coverage of men, they are still overlooked.

 Many people believe women do not receive the coverage that male sports do is because they are inferior to the male athletes; men are just ‘better’ (Tullberg, 2006). But when we look at the better athletes in sport, netball does not get the coverage even though the best players are playing. The senate enquiry (2006) found that women’s sport coverage could come down to history, we have been exposed to men’s sport for many years through print media and we haven’t accustomed to a change. The marginalization of women’s sport has brought about extreme measures in which the way female athletes can become recognized. A true example of this measure is the women’s lingerie league. Women put their bodies out there to be noticed in the sporting arena. This endeavour to get noticed is known as Sexploitation. Using marketing and promotion of female sports through visual sex appeal (Hughson et.al., 2000). The ASC (2010) believe that sexploitation is an inappropriate portrayal of female athletes whether in uniform or out of uniform, it doesn’t notice athletes for their achievement just how good they can look. It seems that this is the only way to gain broadcasting and media attention and to bring equality to sport. The views of those in charge is that this ‘showing off’ of athletes creates appeal and makes people take notice of not only their visual appeal but their sporting prowess (Barbeliuk, 1999). The other way women are involved in sport is through reporting and commentating roles.

Males predominantly fills these commentary and reporting roles. Data from ABC radio and channel nine sports back these findings up. In Grandstand sports radio only 3 out of the 20 reporters and commentators are female (ABC Radio Grandstand, 2011). In the rugby league and union coverage no women were filling up the commentary boxes all of them filled with men (Channel 9, 2011). These men are seen as the superior, wise, high standard of knowledge about the sport where as women in the years have not filled this role. Males have been the dominant gender in sport and remain to ne today, this does not mean that we cant get more women involved in sport all we need is coverage and effort.


 * __Cultural And Social Analysis__**

The gender society and culture is becoming ever so close to equality but there are still a few things that aren’t changing. We have seen revolution of females at the top and being taken serious, such as the Prime minister of Australia Julia Gillard, Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh and in the US Hillary Clinton is the US Secretary of State. This shows politically the gender gap has been overlooked and women are gaining power. Now day’s women have the right to vote, have their say, can hold higher roles in work then men, have rights at work and don’t have to put up with harassment and are becoming more equal with men in regards to rights (Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2011). The only main thing that still hasn’t happened in terms of equality is pay differences. A report by Anthony Sasso et.al (2011) found that 1st year out of University men and women with the same qualifications that men received a higher level of pay. This shows that pay inequality is still prevalent.

In sport this inequality of women is reflect on all levels of the sporting community whether it be elite or grassroots. If women keep getting small amounts of coverage and keep this inequality, it could be detrimental to all female sports. Young males have many role models in the sporting arena to look up to and want to be like. This brings a lot more boys to sport and the skill levels are better at the top as they have more players to choose from. Where as there are a lot less female athletes to look to, as they aren’t very well known or seen. This would have the opposite affect of the males so the best sports people don’t always end up on top.

This health issue is an example of Critical and Conflict theory as it focuses on a social struggle, which is the struggle for women to be recognised in sport. (Clegg, S et.al., 2006, pg255). This is also a glimpse of capitalism where we have an upper and lower regiment of class in the eyes of the media. Upper being the males and lower being females. As Carl Marx wanted when capitalism occurs, we need to get female sport out in the media and get the same rights for both male and female sport (Coser, 1977). If we can get equality in the media of male and female sport then we can make all types of sport numbers grow at both grassroots level and elite levels and can bring a lot more money into sport. It could also promote physical activity throughout females in the community and could be a step to tackling the obesity crises in Australia. More female role models through the female sporting community could make young women and girls aspire to become the athlete that these women are and could increase the level of talent in the athletes making it a more cut throat industry. This way we could see a very high quality of sport being played just like in male sport today.


 * //__Analysis of Artefact__//**

The artefact that I have chosen is a real indication into the gap between male and female sport in terms of community recognition and what the athletes of the sport are actually noticed for. It represents the extents that women’s sport has to go to just to get some airtime. The have to literally market the sport for sex appeal not sporting ability. It shows the inequality through sport and the different types of recognition an athlete gets, whether it be about how they play sport (males) or whether it be how they look on and off the field (women).

As it backs up the argument of lack of recognition for women’s sport and the extreme lengths, such as sexploitation, that female athletes go to, just to be noticed. This should be an alarming thing to everyone involved in sport as it sends the wrong message of what sport is about. It’s about how good you look talent wise and how well you compete and play at your chosen game. This artefact sends out the message that to be an athlete you need to look good in a bikini, which in my eyes is the totally wrong message sport wants to be sending out. I have learnt that equality is essential in sport whether it be race, gender or anything else. If we have equality in sport then it can grow to new heights and become even bigger then it is today. We can have a bigger choice of sport and especially for females stereotypes can be taken away. All we need is equality at the top level to bring it to all levels of sport.


 * //__Reflections on other Wikis__//**

__PAGE- Women, Sport & Gender.__

Hey, This article was very well written and was quite a pleasure to read. I really found you person reflection intriguing and good to see your knowledge of women's struggle for equality in sport. You analyzing of the artefact was well done and explanation of the commodity of women's bodies in sport was great. Your literature review was good and it was evident that there was good depth of research for this assessment piece. The cultural and social analysis had good points about the way that feminists see this inequality. Overall it was a good article with great arguments and not only good knowledge from research but personal experience.

__PAGE- Beyond Blue - Fighting for the promotion and treatment of depression in Men across Australia.__

Hello,

The artefact that you have chosen was a very strong one for the topic of depression in men. I think you did a good job of researching the issue but a few more opinions on the matter could have been added. You made one or two general statements which should have been backed up with evidence or facts but there were not many which is good. The social and cultural analysis was good and looking at what it meant and how it happens from the two perspectives was good. You could have used a little more theories in that section but it was still good. The analysis of the artefact was good as you showed us what it meant and your understanding on the issue. Overall i think it was a good wiki with only one or two minor changes needed.


 * //__Reference List__//**

ABC Grandstand Sport. (2011). Commentators. Retrieved from [] Viewed October 14th 2011

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). //Sports and Physical Recreation: Australia (Statistical Overview).// Retrieved from [] Viewed October 19th 2011

Australian Sporting Commission. (2010). //History.// Retrieved from Australian Sporting Commission, Australian Government website [] Viewed October 19th 2011

Australian Sporting Commission. (2010). //Media.// Retrieved from Australian Sporting Commission, Australian Government website [] Viewed October 20th 2011

Australian Sporting Commission. (2010). //Sexploitation.// Retrieved from Australian Sporting Commission, Australian Government website [] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Viewed October 20th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Barbeliuk, A. (1999, January 9). Good sports or good sorts?. //The Daily Telegraph.// Viewed October 21st 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Channel 9. (2011). Rugby League. Retrieved from [] Viewed October 14th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Channel 9. (2011). Rugby World Cup. Retrieved from [] Viewed October 14th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clegg, S., Hardy, C., Lawrence, T. & Nord, W. (2006). //The Sage handbook of organizational studies// (2nd ed.). London: ENG. Sage Publications

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Coser. (1977). Karl Marx: Class theory. 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. Viewed October 22nd 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Department of Foreign Affair and Trades. (2011). Women- towards equality. Retrieved from [] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Viewed October 20th 2011 <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hinds, R. (2010, June 9). TV perv-fest puts blinkers on women’s sport. //Sydney Morning Herald.// Retrieved from <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] Viewed October 16 th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hughson, S., Kilpatrick, A., Paton, M. & Simms, D. (2000). //Sexploitation//. Canberra Times. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Viewed October 19th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Mickan, P. SA Premier's Council for Women (2006). //Proof Committee Hansard//. Adelaide, SA: South Australian Government. Viewed October 20th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">NSW Sport and Recreation. (2000). Infosheet: Women in sport (Brochure). Sydney, NSW. Viewed October 20th 2011

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Phillips, M. (1996). //An Illusory Image: A Report on the Media Coverage and Portrayal of Women's Sport in Australia//, Australian Sports Commission, Canberra, ACT. Viewed October 20th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sasso, A., Richards, M., Chou, C. & Gerber, S. (2011). The unexplained trend of men earning more then women. //Health Affairs, 30//(2), 193-201

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Senate Report by Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee. (2006). //About Time! Women in sport and recreation in Australia.// Retrieved from Parliament of Australia: Senate website <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">Viewed October 20th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tullberg, M. (2006). // Proof Committee Hansard //. Adelaide, SA: South Australian Government. Viewed October 20th 2011

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">United Nations. (2007). Women, gender equality and sport. //Women 2000 and Beyond. December.// 1-44