Hyperandrogenism Research Paper

While participation of women in sports has increased, the media representation of women in sports remains problematic. Even the most talented elite female athletes like Michelle Kwan and Monica Seles are portrayed in a sexual fashion, as a way of deemphasizing their athleticism and neutralizing any possible threat they might seem to pose to male viewers. Very few male athletes are portrayed in such an objectified manner; they are portrayed as competitors first and foremost, not as personalities. Also, the media coverage of athletes is disproportionately focused on male athletes. The coverage of female athletes tends to stress individualized female sports where women can be sexualized like tennis and figure skating, versus competitive team sports like basketball and soccer.

According to Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in [the] Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” Because of the establishment of this international document, much progression toward the equality of rights for all with inherited and acquired traits has been achieved over time. In particular, gender equality has made a great deal of headway since the Olympic Games in ancient Greece. Even though this may be the case, there is no doubt that female athletes are far from considered equal as compared to male athletes in modern sports. In today’s sports society, women athletes are still discriminated against based on lower salaries, less media coverage, and lack of opportunity.

I mean, surely in todays world people understand that females do exercise? That the nice sheen on our bright red faces is actually sweat and not some sort of glittery substance that causes us to look amazing in that out-of-breathe sort of way? Inequality between males and females in sports is an issue old as time, and yet it still seems be prominent in our modern society. Females still have to be “one of the boys” (and apparently smell like one of the boys) to be competitive on the sports field. Frankly, I had thought that we had at least gotten past the idea that just because females don’t run on testosterone, doesn’t mean that we’re any less of an athlete in any sporting profession. But then I realized that the majority of us have, that the majority of us are not put off by women playing sport and in fact it is something that is encouraged; that many of us actually enjoy watching and rooting for the females. I realized that maybe the issue here is not the inequality between male and female, but inequality between our stereotypical

“Intersex” conditions can create extreme disparities in sports. We segregate men and women in sports to eliminate unfair genetic advantages. Is it then unfair when a genetically female athlete with an intersex condition wins an event? Foddy and Savulesco (2010), offer an option for dealing with natural variation in testosterone. Instead of separating men and women, define a limit based on the level of testosterone in an individual’s blood. Above the limit athletes would compete as men and below the limit athletes would compete as women. This would create a “hormonal level-playing field”. Foddy and Savulesco don’t argue for or against testosterone segregation, they simply discuss the option.

While the country is caught up in sport this would be a great time to bring attention to and create awareness of the issue of sexism in sport and the body shaming that goes along with the social commentary of athletic competition. The media has been filled with much social commentary focused on the wrong thing as anyone watching Fox’s “Sport Court” would have witnessed sporting sexism at its finest when the shows hosts made a case for why women at the Rio games should be wearing makeup, rather than discuss the Olympian women’s portrayals of strength, talent and athleticism (Sasso, 2016). With this article being designed to bring attention to these misguided notions of female athletes and let aspiring athletes and the main stream media realise the negative sexist commentary that is being put forward to women in the sporting

Introduction Throughout history society has celebrated males for their bravery and achievements (particularly their war or fighting prowess), whilst females have been praised more for their sexuality and beauty, and not their accomplishments (Heru, 2003). In sport, society also historically favoured male dominance, whilst females were oppressed and prevented from sports participation as an athletic body was not considered ‘feminine’ (Carty, 2005). In the modern world, and despite female participation in sport increasing over the last 25 years (Acosta & Carpenter, 2014), it is well documented that male dominance in sport society, and society as a whole, prevails (Burton, 2015). Even where female sports coverage is present, females are often

Critics have argued many times that the biological differences between men and women are constructed to legitimize sex-exclusive sport activities (Daddario, 1994). Media portrays masculinity as powerful but portray femininity as a weakness, which leads to fewer women getting the attention the media attention they deserve.The news is the primary source of information for the public which means that way media portrays women is the way society will view female athletes (Shaller, 2006). The inadequate portrayal leads to decrease in popularity of female sports and less participation by potential female future athletes.

Females very rarely receive more coverage than males, despite their efforts and achievements being equivalent (Weter and Canni, 2013). This is evident in the sport sections of newspapers as well as other forms of mediated sport. Often only a minute portion, if any, of a newspaper page is utilised for the representation of female athletes. Media personnel attempt to permeate ideologies to wider society through the use of media texts, often legitimising the notion that sports are naturally an activity for males. This is achieved by displaying many images of physically powerful men (George et al, 2001: ) who depict the ideals and values of muscular Christianity. Boyle and Haynes, (2009:122), explain that due to biological differences between men and women that have been socially established, females are very rarely represented showing muscles and being physically powerful. George et al, (2001: ), explain that this organisation of society can be seen throughout history and has been prominent for many years. The Victorian legacy, as explained by Boyle and Haynes (2009:123), where by female physical ability, emotional state and limitations inflicted by society to participate in sport, can still be seen in modern society.

The gender verification has become a major controversy for women’s sports. The International of Olympic Committee (IOC) motto is promoting fairness among the gender equalities (IOC 2014). However, the purpose of the verification method is to create a fair competitive sports game for female athletes. According to Medical Dictionary, the definition of “Gender Verification Sex chromosome testing in the Olympic Games, to prevent genetic males from masquerading as females in womens’ events” (Gender Verification 2014). There are worrisome about potential male transgender that are competing in women’s sports (Teetzelhttp 2014) Gender verifications can be considered a good method to sustain the integrity of sport, but the procedure of examining the athletes demands to be modified. The IOC requirements are to determine and verify the aspects of genetic and characteristic of the female athletes. Gender verification has not only become problematic but it has harmed the reputation of those who are not male origin that are accused of being male.

The focus of my paper will be around transsexuals - specifically male-to-female - competing in sports at the highest levels, such as competing in the Olympics. As these sports are mainly segregated by sex, it is important to consider individuals who are not within the ‘norm’ such as transsexuals and females with hyperandrogenism and how sex/gender policies will affect them. I will explore the implications of the Stockholm Consensus and issues surrounding it. This policy dictates that individuals who have undergone sexual reassignment must provide proof that their testosterone levels have been under a certain point for a minimum of 12 months and their gender identity must be declared. I will also examine the old way of determining who competes,

Sports -the ideas of competitive physical movement- have always appeared to be a male dominant field. Not necessarily due to women being incapable of the same activities, yet hence history, media coverage, and ultimately, popularity. Although female athletes like Serena Williams or Yuna Kim have been making their marks within the past few decades, the amount of attention and support they receive is humiliating relative to male athletes.

There is, of course, a huge difference between the ways women are typically supposed to act and what is expected from a typical athlete. Whereas women are expected to comply to their gender role prescribing passivity and compliance, athletes are connoted with an aggressive, competitive nature. Furthermore, society trains women to be ashamed of their bodies and supplies an unrealistic ideal body type and encourages restricting feminine clothing, whereas athletes must have a keen understanding and appreciation of their bodies. In this way, athletes are implicitly coded as male. Though women and men can both be great athletes, of course, gender roles limit the social image and expectations for individuals based

The destruction of women’s sports is on an upsurge, because males are identifying themselves as females and competing with an unfair advantage. The biological men are causing a controversial complication around the world. These men are breaking records and winning competitions in wrestling, weightlifting, track, softball, volleyball, basketball, mixed martial arts, and more. Requesting equality, the Transgenders are outraged about the regulations, but men are bigger and stronger than women, so they are making the sports unfair for the biologically born women. All the attributes that come with being born a man will not go away, and you have got to accept the fact that you are a man. Changing your sex and identifying as a transgender is

Gender Verification and sport are two terms when brought together that create a bang louder than a starting pistol. The documentary “To Fast to Be a Woman” tells the story of Caster Semenya. In 2009 Caster Semenya won the woman’s 800m sprint at the World Championships in Berlin. At the same competition Usain Bolt competed and while he was celebrated for the world records that he set, Caster Semenya was scrutinized by other competitors and the public for having a more muscular build than a regular female. Her muscular build and fast time began to fuel rumors of hermaphroditism and levels of testosterone three times that of what is seen as ‘normal.’ The rumors caused red flags for the International Association for Athletics Federation (IAAF) and she was ordered to take a gender verification test. The IAAF wanted to determine if Semenya’s excess testosterone provided her with an unfair advantage.

Historically women have not been provided equal opportunities in competitive and collegiate sports. In the late 1800’s, social perception was that females were weak and although they were admired by men, they were treated like objects (Lumpkin, 2013). Competitive and collegiate sports were dominated by males, with little opportunity for women to participate. Females eagerly wanted to participate, however sports were perceived inappropriate which would put their femininity in question and put their health at risk (Lumpkin, 2013). Women faced many challenges along the way, but gradually they begin to fight for their rights of gender equality and women’s rights in sports and started participating in collegiate sports.