Media's Influence On The Status Of Female Athletes

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.

Women have struggled for more than two centuries to be taken serious as professionals. There should not be a double standard in sports especially if it is loved and played by both genders. Over the years, females have competed against the stereotype of being too fragile both mentally and physically to play strenuous sports. The passion and work ethic of the female professional athletes is just as strong as the males and everyone should be treated equal and be able to have a chance at making a better living for themselves as well as their family. One area that still faces a continual struggle in sports is gender equality. Female

Sports have been a large part of society throughout history. They have brought out happiness, joy, hard work, determination, and teamwork in the individuals that have participated in them. However, there have been negatives involved with sports throughout history also, including gender roles, which are defined as the public image of being a particular gender that a person presents to others. These roles have been created by society and passed down from generation to generation, informing one another of false beliefs that say that one gender, usually males, are better than females. In sports, these often say that women have significantly lower performance levels, show less drive and that women see competition as unnecessary. In reviewing the initial beliefs and problems before Title IX, the role of Title IX, the problems still existing today, and the modern movement, it is seen that progress has been made, but also that there is also more to do.

According to Laing, “The sexualization of female athletes reduces their self-esteem and identity by dehumanizing and pressuring them into an unhealthy obsession with body image” (page: 3). This leads to the media making women self-conscious about their bodies. Athletes often hear people say of other athletes, “She is too big, she’s not muscular enough or she is too skinny about female athletes.” Because of the way in which the media portrays a particular set of females, all females tend to strive for this “perfect physique”. This can lead to serve cases like dissatisfaction with their appearance and eating disorders. Some may argue that women like the sexualized manner in which they media portrays them because it increases their self-esteem

Women have been oppressed throughout the history of sports. There are many ways in which female athletes have been oppressed. Some examples are in the Olympics, in schools, in other countries, in the U.S, the comparison of male athletes to female and many more. Based on records, documentaries, articles, etc. of women’s sports, it is evident that female athletes are not treated equally to men by both sports organizations and the general public.

Sports are one of the great American pastimes, but the reality is that sports have encouraged a very distinct separation between males and females in the American society. The attitudes acquired through sports are learned on the field and breached into the real world to create conflict between the sexes. The issue of gender inequality goes far beyond the sports world, yet male dominated organizations form and support the sexes. With this separation of sexes we see the social and cultural strain on athletes participating in opposite gender sports, because society frowns on women participating in male dominated sports.

By emphasizing certain facets of female participation in sports, while ignoring others, sports media effectively shape public agenda and influence the public's judgment about the world of sport” (Weiller, Higgs, & Greenleaf, 2004, p. 15). This is evident when you look at the amount of viewership women’s sports has compared to men’s. Also, when you look at the ideologies people have on female athletes compared to males. By highlighting certain things in women’s sports, it makes it look like the media is portraying women’s sports positively, but that’s not technically the case.

To start off, the rise of female athletes are that women are treated the same as

Since sports were created, the spotlight has always been focused on male athletes who continue to be the center stage on sports media. David Roberts stated “Female athletes profiled in major sports publications seem to be chosen more for their looks and womanly traits as opposed to their sporting prowess.” When you turn on your T.V. and scroll through sports channels you are more likely to see broadcasters discussing about male athletes/sports. A lot of this is to blame because of what is televised, many male sports are streamed live because many viewers find it more entertaining than female sports. In fact, soccer player Alex Morgan is more famous for her looks rather than her abilities to play at a professional level.

“To begrudge folks of their opinion of these women is useless. Beauty is entirely subjective, a matter truly in the eye of the beholder,” (Source 1). The media is infamous for how it views individuals. Television shows such as TMZ and Extra exist for the sole purpose of not only stalking, but also ridiculing celebrities regardless of whether or not they planned to be in the limelight. If Jennifer Lawrence appears gorgeous in her red carpet gown, she is praised; if she is caught with a slice of pizza in her mouth she is viewed by the same people as a slob. The media treats its precious celebrities like dogs, rewarding them or scolding them for their behaviors. This attitude is not reserved for celebrities, as it also affects the common, non-famous people—men and women both—and emerged in the Roaring 20s. Before the cultural transformation of that era, women fit the image of the so-called Gibson Girl. The Gibson Girl was extremely feminine and beautiful with long, flowing, thick hair, modest yet elegant outfits, and wide birthing hips. When companies started to yearn for more money, advertisement agencies began to develop ads that featured skinny girls with the body of twelve-year-old boys, and short hair to promote different hair products. This allowed companies to charge the same amount of money for a smaller amount of fabric. Thus emerged the “Flapper” of the 1920s—a truly new breed of woman whose new appearances matched their new attitudes. These women would drink and

For my essay I will be conducting research for the topic “Women in Sports.” Throughout time the general consensus is that the sports world is dominated by male athletics. Most well known and publicized sports leagues such as the National Hockey League, National Football League, and Major League baseball are all played by male athletes and have male coaches and managers as well. On the flip side, women are not normally involved with playing many sports but are instead doing items such as cheerleading and taking pictures with various spectators. Women are not normally involved in the game because the main sense is that a crowd shows up to athletic games in hopes off watching the male athletes play their sports.

The adverse topic of women in sports stems from society's disregard to viewing women as persons. Women were, and in other parts of the world continue to be viewed as property of men and have no significant role in society. Being allowed into the Olympics was a step in the right direction for women across the world, but it was meager attempt equality. Women were still restricted by what events they were allowed to compete in, how they were trained and coached and even limited as to what they could wear. A woman’s femininity played a large role in the way they were perceived by society; weak. Women were seen as incommensurate to men and it was something that has taken us centuries to reverse. Today, women are given the rights we should have

== == A high percentage of the sports scene has been shaped by male domination. Women have been excluded by sport and although they have come a long way with barriers gradually being broken down, there is still a lot to do before equality is achieved.

The male athlete is seen as someone people look up to, strong, worthy of praise, someone to take seriously. As William Moller acknowledges, “we, the public, place the best athletes on pedestals, gods on high.” (Moller) But this type of fascination and respect seems to be reserved for male athletes. Now, one must acknowledge that times are changing and there is beginning to be more respect for female athletes then there has been in times past. If you take the tennis world for example, you will find quite a few women whose athletic ability is highly

All around the world, women are confronted with inequality in many activities they take part in, one of them being sports. In the past, women have had fewer chances of being recognized. However, as the years have gone by, new opportunities have sprung up and women are now able to assume many of the roles alongside men. Moreover, there has always been a stereotype that women cannot be equal to men in sports. This is because of health issues or just simply because of their physical abilities. Women have strived for equality in all aspects of life including the sports world; however, society has not allowed these women to prove themselves valued because society keeps on giving importance to the thought that they as women