Femininity In Sports

Words: 1238
Pages: 5
Open Document
Winners are associated with dominant traits. They are strong, assertive, and authoritative. The traits of a winner are often associated with dominance, which is traditionally associated with masculinity. This association makes it socially acceptable for men to be victorious, to be ruthless and determined. For females, winning is not as simple as it is for men. Society does not usually make the correlation between femininity, and “winning” traits. To be a female in a male dominated society means playing by male rules. Female athletes specifically, are questioned on their ability to thrive in sports, and have been conditioned to play by a certain “femininity game”. Mariah Burton Nelson’s essay, “I Won. I’m Sorry.” argues that female athletes …show more content…
She defines femininity as it is viewed in a patriarchal society, which will resonate with her audience as she assumes they are open to recognizing a sexist society. Using logic, she states that femininity is unhealthy. Nelson does this by informing the reader of the converse of her claim. She writes, “it would be unhealthy for men to act passive, dainty, obsessed with their physical appearance, and dedicated to bolstering the sense of superiority in the other gender, so it's unhealthy for women too” (526). Applying the unhealthiness of femininity to the gender who does not suffer these damages gives her listeners perspective, helping them understand her …show more content…
One examples involves figure skating as an epitome of the femininity game. Nelson calls figure skating a “girl thing,” she says that with this sport, prettiness is mandatory. She states that figure skaters “camouflage their competitiveness with with niceness and prettiness until it no longer seems male or aggressive or unseamly” (529). Anyone who has watched figure skating, would think back and try to apply Nelson’s analysis to this sport. Here, Nelson’s argument makes logical sense with this example. Smiling, and giving a pretty appearance is part of figure skating, it is essential to how figure skaters are ranked. The reader would remember the characteristics of the femininity game, and will see how it relates to this particular example. Her moderately sarcastic tone also helps enhance her point. She tells the reader, “in women’s figure skating, smiling is part of “artistic expression” (529). This statement implies that “artistic expression” is an excuse to judge figure skaters on their appearance rather than their technique, thus the reader will be able to relate this to Nelson’s
Show More

Related Documents: Femininity In Sports

Critical Review Paper The History of Femininity in Sport and Physical Activity in Canada

Critical Review: The History of Femininity in Sport and Physical Activity in Canada Submitted by: Rebecca L Ellis (6853005) 31 January, 2014 APA 2302 History of Sport and Physical Activity in Canada Submitted to: Eileen O’Connor Winter 2014 Faculty of Human Kinetics University of Ottawa Females in sport and physical activity are only just becoming an accepted part of Canadian society. Over the last century, girls and women in sport have faced discrimination and have had to fight for their…

Words 1580 - Pages 7

Masculinity In Sports

when we look at anyone. In the sports world, society has shaped certain sports to be considered either a man’s sport or a women’s sport. Once a man participates in a sport that falls under the women’s category or vice versa, the athlete’s sexuality becomes homosexual. That if an athlete decides to step out of either the hegemonic masculinity or emphasized femininity sports, they are less of a man or woman. While many households still fall into the preassigned sports for their children, my household…

Words 569 - Pages 3

Pay Inequality In Sports Essay

The topic of inequality I am writing about pertains to women in sports. Women athletes do not receive as much pay or recognition as male athletes do. Female sports also attract much less attention in person and on television compared to male sporting events. This is seen even here at the University of Arizona: student and faculty seem to limit what they watch and talk about to male sporting events, especially basketball. Fans do no pay nearly as much attention to the women’s basketball team, nor…

Words 714 - Pages 3

How Is Masculinity A Social Construct

homosexuals, racial minorities, and females. “’Masculinity’ does not exist except in contrast with ‘femininity”” (Connell, Masculinities 68). Everything that masculinity is, femininity is not. Masculinity cannot exist as its own entity, it must be contrasted to something, in this case it is femininity. They can even be thought of as antonyms. Masculinity is associated with strength, physicality, power, while femininity is seen as weak, full of emotions, and passive. This hegemonic masculinity enforces a social…

Words 937 - Pages 4

Gender Testing Essay

games without a clear explanation. Soundarajan later learned that the reason she was dismissed from the games was because she was “not really a woman” (Shapiro). Soundarajan then states “And that was the end of my sports life” (Shapiro). Not only was that the end of Soundarajans sports life, but also it was almost the end of her life on earth when she attempted to commit suicide as a result from the humiliation following publicity from her gender testing results. Santhi Soundarajan is not the only…

Words 2512 - Pages 11

Sexualization Of Women In Sports

the federal government, female representation in the media is scarce despite the fact that female involvement in sports has increased since 1972. Gender stereotypes that plaque society causes female athletes to be sexualized in the media which also causes these same female athletes to be disregarded and respected as genuine athletes which, in turn, causes young girls to not pursue sports and all of this causes the scarce media coverage female athletes receives.…

Words 1311 - Pages 6

PROPOSAL PRESENTATION Essay

will be introducing my proposed project; Sexism in Collegiate Sports: How Title IX Failed Millions of people spend their free time watching and discussing sports and not just professional sports but also recreational leagues for children, school affiliated sports through high school and collegiate level sports. Throughout the recent decades women have also been included in the athletic atmosphere. There are women’s leagues for the same sports as there are for men, except for American football. But if…

Words 724 - Pages 3

Yee Soooooonn Essay

Lorenzo Brito Sociology 100 Professor Barnes December 4, 2012 Assignment #6 How did you define “masculinity/femininity” as a child and how has your conception changed as an adult? Masculinity as a child though my point of view is defined as boys having more energy than adults. Juts this weekend I went back home, I saw a group of children having so much fun playing outside. Thing is, it was cold outside, somewhere around fifty to sixty degree’s and they were still having a ball as if the temperature…

Words 398 - Pages 2

Women: Pierre de Coubertin and Female Athletes Essay

Rights In Sports Michael Wilkins Whitney Young Gifted and Leadership Academy Ms. Little AP Literature February 11, 2013 Women are the victim of unfair treatment in the sports industry. In this paper I will discuss and inform you about unfair media coverage and unfair pay in women sports. I also will discuss the history of discrimination in women sports and how the sports industry view women in sports. The Women's Sports Foundation…

Words 695 - Pages 3

Sociology: Gender and American Dream Essay

her husband and children, cook delicious meals, keep a spotless home and embody an attractive, immaculately dressed wife and mother. Despite the evolution of the female ideal, women are still pressured to demonstrate their femininity. Feminine dress remains the symbol of femininity to which women retreat. Now this is where society looks at young woman like myself and already has expectations on how my life should be or the way I should act. Society has this image where it’s all about the “American…

Words 874 - Pages 4