Sexism in sports
Over the years, it has been observed that there is inequality in sports. This fact has prompted many people to research on the matter. The research shows that gender inequality began from the history of the universe. Gender inequality in sports has been depicted in several books and TV programs. An example is sexing the body written by Anne Fausto-Sterling. In the first chapter, the book discusses how people's notion of sexuality and gender is based on social construct (Fausto-Sterling). This fact can be observed from the way women are treated in the society. There are some cultures, which does not allow women to play certain sports because it is claimed to be very dangerous for them. The reason is that women are claimed to be fragile and therefore, they would be hurt easily. African American culture can also be observed to have the same standards because women are meant to be homemakers and not athletes.
The women were initially supposed to stay at home and look after the family and the house. Men were the ones who were expected to do all the physical labor and bring home the baking. Therefore, when women began to do sports, it challenged the social order or hierarchy that had been set (Johnson). This fact is the reason why in the past many men opposed women playing sports. It took centuries for women to be accepted as athletes in sports. The Title IX, which was created in 1972, made it possible for women to be able to participate in sports. However, inequality can still be observed even in the modern world. The women are paid less than the men and sexism can still be experienced. The gender roles in sports are defined by the cultural and socially constructed appearance and behaviors that the women are imposed to show their femininity (Fausto-Sterling). As a result, it can be observed that the injustices found in gender equality are stemmed from sexism and racism. The men tend to look at the appearance of the athletes rather than at their talents. This fact can be observed from the numerous comments that the reporters and the public make about the female athletes. The women are objectified so as to please the male audience. This fact can be observed from the way the women are dressed especially when they are playing. The clothes are skimpy and revealing such as the tennis wears, American football for women and running clothes. Many times the public will only notice the women’s figures and their beauty.
The most beautiful women in sports are among the most highly paid. An example is Maria Sharapova, who is good in Tennis, but her physical beauty has enabled her to land major deals that ensure her pictures are posted everywhere. This fact proves that her beauty is one of her trademarks and not her talent in sports. The other athlete that has made it in sporting arena especially when it comes to endorsements is Ana Kournikova. She is also a tennis player who is paid a lot of money to appear on advertisements for several companies (Padgett). These two women can be stated to have made smart decisions of making money and recognition in the sporting world. They have used what the society has imposed on them to make something good out of it. The problem is that people do not see them as athletes; instead, they can be viewed as models.
Racism in sports
Women of color have experienced sexism and racism in games. This problem can be traced back in history. In the beginning, African American people were considered to be slaves and therefore, white people felt that they were superior to them. Therefore, inequality has lasted for centuries and can still be experienced in the modern world. Black men and women in sports are usually judged for the athleticism in the field. However, it can be observed that their mental capacity especially in strategizing the game is ignored. This fact might be one of the primary reasons why black quarterbacks are few in American football. As for women due to their athletic built, many have claimed that they are hermaphrodites. An example can be observed from Semenya, who had to undergo gender testing to prove that she was a woman. She was singled out maybe because she was black (Padgett).
In history, black women were questioned about their femininity (Wolf). However, when it comes to white womanhood their judgments were pure sexism because of their physical attributes and that is why they are stated to be homemakers. However, this was a different case for the black women. It can be observed that black women had already been judged for being strong, and that is why during the slavery era they were given hard labor. Therefore, black femininity is different because they are claimed to be able to endure hard labor and harsh conditions. Based on history black women can be stated to being observed on the factors of their femininity, physique, and masculinity. These factors could be the reason why many black women are very successful in the sporting world. Nonetheless no matter how successful they get people only recognize them for their animal-like strength and not their work ethics or intelligence in the game. An example of black women who have become very successful in sports is tennis players known as Venus and Serena Williams (Padgett). The two women have won many major awards throughout their careers. However, the women are paid less than some of their counterparts due to physical appearance. A woman like Maria Sharapova is claimed to be the most highly paid athlete due to her beauty. The sisters are only known for their athleticism, and that is why she is paid less in endorsements.
According to Forbes magazines the highest-paid tennis players in endorsement deals are Roger Federer and for women it is Maria Sharapova who is paid twenty-three million dollars (Padgett). Serena Williams, who is considered among the best tennis players in the world regardless of both male and female, is in the tenth place with a payment that is estimated to be thirteen million dollars. The reason for her low pay could be based on physical appearance. According to the ten most beautiful players in tennis, none of the sisters are usually in the top five positions. The reason for this is stemmed from the fact that they are not considered to be beautiful or physically appealing. Instead, many claim that the sisters look masculine. An example of such a case can be observed from reporters of the popular Chicago radio station who referred the sisters as the booty and the beast. Many claimed that he report was made due the masculine nature of the sisters especially when it comes to their bodies. Others have stated that the William sisters are degraded concerning their beauty because of their race. Black women in the society are not viewed to be beautiful. This fact could be one of the reasons that cause African women to bleach themselves to be considered beautiful. The reason for this to occur is because every woman on this planet regardless of their race want to be called beautiful and feminine (Wolf). The fact that people have always claimed that black women are masculine and athletic has caused them to work harder and be better in the sports thereby not care about how people will perceive their beauty.
Conclusion
When it comes to sports racism and sexism can be observed especially when it comes to women. Sexism when it comes to in gender inequality can be seen from the way women are treated in sports. Most women are objectified, and their performance is based on their physical appearance. The most beautiful women in sports are more recognized compared to those with more talent. The uniforms for most games for women are revealing and skimpy. These facts show how they are also objectified by men. It took the society longer for it to accept women in the sporting arena. The reason is stemmed from the social and cultural construct. Originally women were meant to be homemakers. Therefore, when they joined the sporting world, they destroyed the social hierarchy that was existing. On the other hand, black women are stated to have more strength. This fact is based on the time of slavery where they were made to do hard labor in the fields. Since then white people have considered them to be stronger than the white women. This fact is the reason black women are judged on their athleticism and not their beauty.
Work cited
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. Sexing the body: gender politics and the construction of sexuality. New York: Basic Books, 2000. Print
Johnson, Allan G. The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy. Temple University Press, 2014. Print
Padgett, Jessica. The Issues of Women in Sport. Serendip, 2015. Print
Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women. Harper Perennial, 2002. Print
