Chapter 7 Gender and Sports

What are some ways to decrease the gender divide later on?

-Alternative definitions of masculinity -Alternative definitions of femininity -Changing the way we do sports

Explain increased media coverage of women in sports? (reasons for participation)

-Although women's sports are not covered as often as men's sports, opportunities to read and learn about achievements of women athletes now exist -Media images in the coverage of women events are powerful and inspirational to girls and women

What are the effects of title IX?

-Approximately 57% of athletes are men -59% of scholarships go to men -Women receiving better money and facilities -Women's sports now facing some of the same bad practices as men's sports. -Universities dropping minor programs -More men coaching women's teams -Still less women in positions of authority

Explain health and fitness movement? (reasons for participation)

-Awareness -Emphasis on development and physical strength

How has title IX changed the face of sport?

-Before the passage of Title IX 16,000 college female athletes participated on varsity teams. They did this with no scholarship assistance, and little financial backing for coaches, uniforms, travel, locker rooms, medical assistance, or athletic training. -Thanks to Title IX, the number of girls that participate in sports have increased to over 3.2 million compared to the 294 000 in 1971. For the most part, they now have the backing and support needed.

What are the main reasons to be cautious when predicting the future participation of girls and women in sport?

-Budget cutbacks and the privatization of sport programs -Backlash among those who resent changes favoring strong women -Under-representation of women in decision-making positions in sports -Continued emphasis on "cosmetic fitness" -Trivialization of women's sports -Homophobia and the threat of being labelled "lesbian"

Explain alternative definitions of masculinity

-Dominant forms of sport tend to normalize the idea that masculinity involves aggressiveness and a desire to dominate others, this ideology can be dangerous and socially isolating -Dominant forms of sports seem to prevent people from raising questions about gender ideology

What are some examples of schools as a source of gender inequality?

-Girls are less visible -Ask boys better questions, give more feedback and time -Course expectations -Genders of teachers and administrators

Explain homophobia and the threat of being labelled "lesbian" (predicting future participation)

-Homophobia affects all women, lesbian and straight alike; it creates fears, it pressures women to conform to traditional gender roles. And it silences and makes invisible the lesbians who manage, coach, and play sports

Explain alternative definitions of femininity

-It is important for girls and women to explore and connect with the power of their bodies and to do so in sport and physical activities; therefore, there is a need for definitions of feminity to support visibly strong women and to embrace the notions of competing with other women in sports, competing with men, and striving for victories while respecting opponents

Explain global women's rights movement? (reasons for participation)

-Led to the creation of new interests among those, in the past who never would have thought about playing sports -Many politically influential women's sport organizations have emerged -Lobbying efforts to provide sport, health and women and girls rights around the world

Explain continued emphasis on "cosmetic fitness" (predicting future participation)

-Many girls and women hear confusing cultural messages that they should be "firm but shapely, fit but sexy, strong but thin" -"Cosmetic fitness" as opposed to physical competence leads to higher drop out rate

What are some examples of college/universities as a source of gender inequality?

-Names (not) given to female teams

What is title IX?

-No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance -Amendment

Explain new opportunities? (reason for participation)

-Prior to 1970s many girls and women did not play sports due to the lack of opportunities -Government pressures forced more opportunities -Ex. Women's Football

What are the 3 parts of the title IX act?

-Proportional participation test: Proportion of female athletes equal to the proportion of female undergraduates -History of progress test: Demonstration of a history of movement towards proportionality -Effectively Accommodating Interests and Abilities: Schools meets interest and ability levels of students. Proportionality is not important

Explain under-representation of women in decision-making positions in sports (predicting future participation)

-Women are not visible as leaders in sport programs -In turn, some people may conclude that women's abilities and contributions in sports are less valued than men's

What is an example of unequal opportunities?

-Women can compete with men in many sports and some people don't think they can

Explain backlash among those who resent changes favoring strong women (predicting future participation)

-Women playing certain sports become strong

What is sex?

-a biological characteristic

Explain trivialization of women's sports (predicting future participation)

-"Okay, women play sports, but they are not as good as men and people want to see the best" -Based on the assumption that unless women are clearly heterosexual, or at least attractive enough to be sexually desired by heterosexual men, they are not real women -Based on the assumption that sports involves "manly" things like aggression and physical dominance

What are some examples of male privilege?

-More wealth, power and prestige -Role-models are mostly male -Western society is patriarchal: Women are seen as child raisers and homemakers -Sport perpetuates this belief, as it is "for men": Women in sport faced "social isolation" -Women have been put down for sport participation

What are the 4 main reasons for the increase in participation in sport among girls and women?

-New opportunities -Global Women's rights movement -Health and Fitness movement -Increased media coverage of women in sports

What are some examples of mass media as a source of gender inequality?

-Reporting of women's sports (type and place) -Airtime not given to women's sports -Endorsements: female athletes made feminine, given less money, sponsor different products

What is male privilege?

-Social, economic, and political advantages of rights that are made available to men solely on the basis of their sex

What are some examples of parental influences as source of gender inequality?

-Toys, treatment, acceptable behavior

What is an example of unequal access to authority?

-Unequal return/pay -Boys control the power

Explain budget cutbacks and the privatization of sport programs (predicting future participation)

-Vulnerable to budget cuts -Participation becomes increasingly dependent on private support and sponsorship -Consequently, future participation increases may be unevenly distributed among girls and women

What is gender?

-an ongoing cultural process that socially constructs differences between men and women (i.e., social expectations)

What are some myths that men and women both face in North America?

-biological and physical weakness -Sports are harmful to female health (no truth to this) -Women are psychologically weak (no truth to this) -Sports masculinize women (cultural defined standard) -Sports are for lesbians (no truth to this)

What is the significance of participation?

-it is the most dramatic change in the world of sports -increased greatly for women and girls

What are some social barriers that men and women both face in North America?

-myths -unequal opportunities -unequal access to authority

What are the sources of gender inequality in sport?

-parental influences -schools -mass media -college/universities