Women in Male Dominated Sports

Women participating in male dominated sports have becoming increasingly more expected throughout the past few years. However, women are still not given the same recognition as men. I will even admit, although sports have never been a major part of my life, in high school I went to boy’s basketball games, but not to a single girl’s game. I have occasionally watched men’s sports on television with my brothers, but they never seem as interested in the women in these same sports. When it comes to women in sports, it is me and my mom watching the women participate in sports such as ice skating or gymnastics. So, when asked the question “How are women portrayed in men’s sports?” it takes me some time to consider this, as I generally do not watch their games. I think that women are portrayed as less then men in male dominated sports; many men seem to think that they are more athletic than any girl. Women are also portrayed as tomboys; if they are good at sports such as basketball, football, and racing, then they are generally compared to men. They are not thought of as graceful and pretty, as they would be considered if they participated in gymnastics or ice skating, but considered tough and strong, like the stereotypical man. Yet, even these tough women are portrayed as less then men. Some men do not want women playing on their sports teams or even practicing with them, it is as if they feel like their team will be lessened by a woman’s presence. Or is it just they feel their manhood being threatened? What if a girl beat them? Whatever the reasons for this portrayal of women as being inferior in men’s sports, it is very prominent in today’s society and should be examined more closely.