Response - #2
Reading the responses for Topic #2, I have had a lot to think about regarding discrimination in sports based on gender and sexuality, especially regarding the finicky issue of female athleticism and its acceptability in the world of sport. One of the primary issues brought up by responders is the "appropriate" context for having boys and girls co-ed teams; some responses theorized that they should be allowed to play "if they are good enough to play on a boys team," or "if there are no individual girl's teams," indicating that this scenario is the ideal situation. While it is good that women get their own team, the most important thing to think about is just what the male-female binary and separation in sports. Given that women and men get uniquely and widely different experiences on their own teams, due to the overwhelmingly greater amount of resources and publicity given to boy's teams, girl's teams do not get the chance to experience the full potential of their sporting ability in a professional setting.
One of the most intriguing things, looking back on my response to 4, is that the reasons I have heard regarding the potential for male discomfort performing around females do not entirely convince me. It is possible that men can feel uncomfortable somewhat, but this discomfort means different things for men than it does for women. Women performing in front of men can feel objectified and looked at as pieces of meat; male discomfort around women is stated by some to be the result of not being the best guy in the gym, but in a professional sports environment, these athletes are confident enough in their abilities (and validated by their coaches and scouts) that this discomfort would not occur. The same cannot be said as confidently of women in professional sport; they are still looked at as sex objects by male and female sports fans.
Response #3
Considering the responses for Topic #3, I have found a great deal of evidence to support my existing opinions regarding female athletes and coaching gaps, as well as the Female Athlete Triad. I wholeheartedly agree with the opinion that women need to be more visible in coaching and administration in order to get greater involvement from women; as these opportunities open up, female coaches will have the chance to usher in new female subordinates and future female coaches, improving contacts and networking possibilities for women. By having this visible exposure to women in sports administration, it can inspire more women to get into sports and coaching in particular.
The issue of cross-gender teams is a non-issue, and I agree with many responses that state that men and women have to benefit from a well-rounded support network of coaches and administrators from both sexes. Furthermore, the suggestion of legislation is an important one, as that would make a greater impact than simply putting forward initiatives and effort to further women's coaching.
One thing I came to understand further was the unrealized pressures that men do have to look good on the field or in athletics; this is partially what leads to steroid abuse, and so there is also a health risk for men as well as women. However, I maintain that the use of steroids is in order to get stronger and perform better first, with "look sexy" as a distant second priority. The stigma for girls to be "hot" while still high-performing still outweighs the need to perform in many sports contexts today.
