The reading Believing Is Seeing, states that "feats by women athletes who were presented as mature adults might force sports organizations and audiences to rethink their stereotypes of women's capabilities." I have seen over the years women's sports up and coming. There are more women beginning to participate in college, semi professional, and Olympic sports. I feel that even though there is a stereotype that says that women can only participate in sports that are not physical or that is a slower pace, I feel that women should be able to participate in any sport they would like regardless of contact level. I understand that men are stronger and the stereotypes are there to "protect" women, but should the player should be able to make that choice on their own. I think that the fact that as women get older their game changes is ridiculous.
Jessica McClean
This is a very interesting point. I've been playing hockey my entire life and I've reached the age where some of my adult leagues have women in them. It's extremely awkward to play against them because, as a male, you don't want to hurt them by playing too hard. Truthfully, I tone my play down when playing hockey against girls because I don't want to injure them and I innately think that I would embarrass them if I were to complete full out. It's a terrible thing to think, but it's just habit as a guy to associate women with fragility and to take it easy on them in co-ed competition.
ReplyDeleteI think you are correct about the 'up and coming' point about women sports. I remember in high school, my junior year, my school had just created a lacrosse team for girls. Before that there was only the guys lacrosse team. It was also a really big issue when a girl joined our HS football team. However, even though they gave her a jersey and assigned her a position, she was mostly on the bench during the games. I think that it is sort of unfair that guys feel that they need to take it easy when competing with a girl, because if they are just as experienced as you in a certain sport and are fit and strong, there is no reason to do so. Especially in aggressive sports like rugby, hockey, and lacrossse.
ReplyDeleteA few years back, I took a course "Queer Identities in Athletics", which focused on homophobia in sports and masculinity and femininity. In this course we would touch on women being involved with sport and how there is a different stigma. Women are expected to be dainty, to have the ponytail and look as if they are very put together in their sport, when in reality, it is pretty impossible to not break a sweat during a sport. Even on the court, women are expected to have an image that is deemed presentable in public. Women's bodies are built differently, but there are women who take part in body-building, usually considered a man's sport, (what isn't), but as most of us may have seen, it is possible for a woman to have a six-pack and huge biceps and legs. There may be more acceptance in sports for women now, but we still have a long way to go. I know more female athletes at this school than I do men and see more accomplishments on the women's spectrum and have much more respect because of what I've learned from them.
ReplyDeleteLike Ryan I've played hockey for many years. In that time, when I've encountered girls playing the sport it is definitely my instinct to let up. I distinctly recall being cross checked from behind in front of the crease by a girl and getting back up to retaliate. When I realized she wasn't a guy I second guessed myself. It's sort've frowned upon to hit girls, in any manner. Although some of my friends take the attitude that "they're out there playing, and they should be able to take a hit just like guys" I just found that I didn't want to hurt a girl. It really makes you feel like a jerk. So although I believe they should be treated equally, I'm not about to take a run and hit a girl. It's just not right to me.
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