I+Didn’t+Know+Modelling+was+a+Female+Sport?+–+Women+in+Sport+Over+Time


 * Running like a Girl: How Equitable is the Playing Field when it comes to Women in Sport? **

Name: Chloe Truesdale Student Number: 08308942 Tutor: Katie Page

[] This YouTube clip, ‘WNBA Sucks’ is an excerpt from a Family Guy episode that aired in America in 2009. The short 19 second video shows two male commentators reporting on a women’s basketball game. The men depict this game as a waste of time and money, sarcastically exemplifying women’s minute pay of “$7000 per year!” The commentators address the issue of beauty, or lack thereof, in this basketball game, asking if “having this minor skill is worth being //so// unattractive?” After showing a few seconds of the masculinised female players missing shots and dropping the ball, the camera pans across to the stadium, showing the one and only supporter, incidentally an overweight male.
 * Artefact Analysis **

One of the most controversial topics currently debated is the issue of women in sport. Recently it has been reported that women’s involvement and recognition in the sporting world is increasing (Borish, 2004; ABS 2009). However, this may be as a result of the over sexualisation of female players. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009) suggests this view is even present in Australian households, as women listed ‘enjoyment’ was one of the insignificant reasons for exercise and ‘weight loss’ or ‘image’ as one of the main motivations. Over sexualisation is often achieved through the media’s portrayal of women in sport. This can be seen in relevant literature.
 * Public Health Issue **

In the past, sport was a male dominated activity, testing masculinity and dexterity as a form of power. Women, as a result, were not allowed to participate, or even in some circumstances, spectate (Secarea, 2010). It was seen as an activity for males, and if women dared to partake they were often scorned in their community (Pfister, 2010). In the late 1800’s, organised sport was seen as a tool used to act out and define traditional gender roles (Park, 2007). Many outsiders to the Western world were under the impression that the sole reason men showed their women exaggerated generosity and courtesy was in order to compensate for the lack of equality in an apparently egalitarian society (White, 2006). While women’s sports were seen as mediocre and meagre, this view was often disguised due to the chivalry shown towards the females. No apparent change occurred until the leader of the American Women’s Rights movement, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, interjected in 1850 that “the girl should have all the freedom of the boy, in romping, swimming, climbing and playing ball” (Borish, 2004).Stanton assisted the import of tennis, golf and bicycling, the only sports that were deemed suitable for women (Park, 2007).
 * Literature Review **

In the late 19th Century, women gained the right but not the privilege to participate in sport (Lewis, 2001). While they were technically permitted to join in, it was actively discouraged by the people as it was seen as too masculine (Lewis, 2005). This was shown through the media’s apparent acceptance yet negative portrayal of women in sport. The National Police Gazette, after Richard Kyle Fox came into power, began to produce articles claiming women were partaking in sports such as baseball, wrestling and boxing in the 1870’s (Pfister, 2010). The newspaper created a widespread belief that women had equal opportunities in sport. However their underlying message was generating debates over whether female athletes had the ability or right to participate in a male’s activity. This inevitably ignited the downfall of any possible advancements for women in sport.

In more recent years, the Australian Government has contributed $1.45 million to improve women’s sporting recognition in the media (Halden, 2011). This commitment to female athletes may have been inspired by Title IX. Title IX is a law put in place in 1972 in order to cease the sexism present in education programs, in particular sport or physical activity (Donnelly, 2006). The amendment was originally created in order to stop the discrimination against race or national origin (Greendorfer, 2004). However, Greendorfer (2004) continued that after the National Organisation for Women was involved, the act had an effect on women’s rights and the high school sporting programs, despite no mention of the two in the official wording. It was governed by a Three-Prong Test in order to determine which education program complied with Title IX by meeting one of the three parts (Donnelly, 2006). These parts stated that the institution must: maintain substantially proportionate participation opportunities to the students’ course enrolment, and an ever expanding program for the developing interests of the underrepresented sex (typically female) (Lewis, 2001). Finally, despite gender proportions of the class, the institution must ensure equal opportunities for both (Bell, 2007). These regulations were seen to administer the effectiveness of Title IX, ensuring it continued to be beneficial and no further problems arose.

It was not until recent years that the issue of sexualising female athletes came into the public’s attention. The media moved from portraying women as insignificant when it came to sport, to over sexualised ‘cheerleaders’ with no valid input. Bertozzi (2008) found that little has changed when it comes to sex-role stereotypes and the public’s perception of masculinity or femininity. There is a strong tendency to emphasis the differences between men and women in sport as opposed to the endless similarities (Bertozzi, 2008). This turns the view to women’s sexualised features rather than their sporting ability. The media seems to recognise instabilities in the public’s views on women. Drawing on these views that female athletes are sexual beings in a public domain seem to cement this belief in individual’s minds (Bertozzi, 2008). The Opportunities Commission has consistently found that women are underrepresented in the field of sporting media (Lewis, 2001). In workforces such as major newspapers, television networks and even the police force, Lewis (2001) continued that women made up less than 10 percent of the employees. In order to address this issue, The Women’s Sports Foundation promotes the importance of women and girls in sports at all levels, with the assistance of government ministers (White, 2006). Having a female in a position of power within the sporting community suggests equality within the media’s portrayal of women (Bertozzi, 2008).

Despite this slight improvement of women in sport generated by Title IX and a slow increase in media coverage, it has recently been viewed as a negative advancement. Forty years later this law has only recently become a common view in select sporting communities. Some women are still targeted at weak and insignificant athletes in addition to the majority of sporting stars being projected as sex objects (Donnelly, 2006). Title IX has not reached all generations, socio-economic groups or sporting communities (White, 2006). Some critics claim that Title IX has grown discriminatory towards male athletes by dismantling their programs (Greendorfer, 2004). Poe (2003) finds that Title IX seems to exemplify men’s superiority through still implementing such distinct laws in the 21st Century. A research article conducted by White (2006) found this this may signify the belief in the USA that women cannot stand on their own two feet. As this act was passed in the early 70’s, it is suggested that America’s belief on sexism in sport is anchored in the past – unable to move forward and face the new current issues at hand (Poe, 2003). Others fear that women are making distinctive strides towards equality and possible power (Pfister, 2010). These diverse points of view represent the social and cultural groups who are most affected and/or influence this issue of female athletes. These groups (for example; athletes, feminist groups, media, spectators, Australian Government and the outer sporting community) may be either positively or negatively affected by this ongoing debate.
 * Cultural and Social Analysis **

As Park (2007) discussed, women were often rewarded for staying out of the male sporting communities in the past. Sport was seen as a way to ingrain the traditional gender roles into society (Park, 2007); with the achieving and strong men and the women watching from the sidelines. This view has been traced into today’s society, particularly in the media and how the audience views the female athletes. In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, uniforms in the beach volleyball competition were a controversially debated topic (shown below). While the women wore skimpy midriff lycra uniforms, the men’s team sported loose fitting singlet and shorts to the knees – similar to that of a basketball uniform (Lundquist, 2011). This sexualisation of female athletes belittles any achievement, while supporting men’s. Another trait still present today is the media’s tendency to falsify facts in order to position the audience in a particular way. While the Australian Government may have given women’s sports $1.45 million, this lump sum was not directed towards the increase of media coverage for women’s sports (Halden, 2011). Rather it was used to purchase sporting equipment for select professional teams (excluding amateur teams). This therefore creates the impression that the Australian Government is for female athletes, yet denies them any explicit assistance in the media. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The recognition and selective media coverage of female athletes is an issue which has only risen in the past ten years. The media exemplifies the difference between the genders through the over sexualisation of women and the masculine portrayal of men (Bell, 2007). Male sportsmen are often seen to be more experienced with a higher level of knowledge or physical ability. This pushes female athletes into the realm of sexuality; forcing them to undress to receive attention (Pfister, 2010). The detrimental thing is that this works. Television and newspaper companies pay female sporting stars excess amounts of money to photograph them in compromising positions (Lundquist, 2011). While this may draw spectators to the sport, it is often for the wrong reason. As a result of this over sexualised portrayal, male spectators often see women’s sport as amusing entertainment, rather than a competitive sport (Donnelly, 2006). Bell (2007) was outraged that men often know more about a female athlete’s body shape then their sporting ability.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This YouTube artefact seems to belittle and mock women’s sport by implying that the only reason the public view these games are due to the over sexualisation of the female players. It is further suggested that if there is no ‘beauty’ present on the field, as stated in this clip, the players will not receive appropriate income, despite their skill. While this video is not a credible and reliable source for the publics’ view, it was created by a multi-million dollar show watched millions of viewers across the world who thought it were necessary and appropriate to broadcast this sexist view. It was not an individual in their living room making a video to show their beliefs. And as 1.9 million watched this one episode, it can be assumed that their message reached their intended, and often supporting, audience.
 * Analysis of Artefact and Own Learning Perceptions **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">But what has Title IX and the media achieved in order to equalise men and women in sport? Has this negative portrayal of female athletes over the years improved their position or likened it to comical relief? It is apparent that there has been no real improvement of this issue in the past ten years; simply different problems affecting the same minority group. This important issue has been debated countless times with no explicit progress. While there may be more coverage on the issue, it is apparent that negative and controversial news stories are being aired more frequently than the games or races themselves. This may be because gender differences are acquired and learnt from either current or past traditions, rather than natural responses.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). Feature article 3: Women in sport. Retrieved from: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4156.0.55.001Feature+Article3May%202009 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bell, R. (2007). A history of women in sport prior to Title IX. //United States Sports Academy – The Sports Journal. 45//(4): 349-373. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bertozzi, E. (2008). 'You play like a girl!’: Cross-gender competition and the uneven playing field. //Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies.// //14//(4): 473-487. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Borish, L. (2004). Women in sports: Breaking barriers. //The Journal of American History. 91//(3): 978-981. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Donnelly, M. ( <span class="nlmyear" style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">2006) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. Studying extreme sport. //Journal of Sport and Social Issues.// //30//(6): 219–241 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Greendorfer, S.L. ( <span class="nlmyear" style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">2004) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. Title IX gender equity, backlash and ideology. //Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal//. //7//(1): 69-93. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Halden, N. (2011). Australian Government commits $1.45 million to boost women’s sport media coverage. //Courier Mail.// 4 para. <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Hargreaves, J. A.(2009). Gender on the sports agenda. International Review for the Sociology of Sport(1012-6902). <span class="citationvolume" style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">25 // <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(4): 287-297. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Lewis, T (2001). Women in sport. //Physiotherapy. 87//(8): 442-484. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Lewis, A. C. (2005). Women in sports. //The Education Digest. 70//(9): 50-54. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Lundquist, W. P. (2011). The sexualization of sport. //The European Journal of Women’s Studies/ 18//(3): 265-278. <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Park, R. J.(2007). Sport, gender and society in a transatlantic Victorian perspective. International Journal of the History of Sport(0952-3367). <span class="citationvolume" style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">24 // <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(12): 1570-1598. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pfister, G. (2010). Women in sport – gender relations and future perspectives. //Sport in Society. 13//(2): 234-254. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Poe, J. (2003). Women in sports. //Reference Reviews. 17//(4): 49.67. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Secarea, A. (2010). College students’ attitudes toward the sexualization of professional women athletes. //Journal of Sport Behaviour. 33//(4): 403-413. <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">White, M.(2006). Who rules sport now?. International Review for the Sociology of Sport(1012-6902). <span class="citationvolume" style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">41 // <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(4): 465-509.
 * Reference List **

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Reflections:

You seemed to choose a very appropriate and reflective artefact which truly played a role behind depression in adolescence and adult hood. This well known song would have connected with a lot of readers and allowed them to experience or see even a fraction of the trauma these teenagers go through. You really wrote this well so the readers would respond emotionally. I was also unaware of the current statistics on this issue! It was comforting to understand there are ways to help the sufferers and that the numbers of depression are slowly dropping - even since last year! Your message throughout your Wiki was fantastically written. Well done!

As I have recently researched and written an article on this topic, I found it very interesting. But I also found that your analysis of younger girls in primary and secondary school was a very appropriate and different approach to take. While the media often focuses solely on professional female athletes, you seemed to divert the attention to women who were treated just as badly, yet not publicised. I also enjoyed how you mentioned that this publication can be a positive thing with regards to the audience or viewers. While it may belittle the female athletes, it brings more money into a sport with little funding when compared to male sport. You also tied this in with female commentators and how they were in the same boat as the athletes, yet also did not have their opinion or situation voiced. Very well written Sam!