Introduction
When an individual ponders about professional sports, the primary thing that comes to the mind is baseball, football, basketball and tennis. These games have one thing alike, that is, they are all male dominated. In the public eye today, ladies can’t contend nearby men in professional games (CAAWS 5).
Is that reasonable? Many people don’t view ladies as a fountain of ability in games today. Generally, as men dreams of playing in major leagues today, women have ambitions as well. Numerous associations don’t perceive that ladies are equipped for playing on the same level as men.
There is no reason that any ladies ought to be turned down from participating in a game that they have the ability in. By taking a gender at measurements, genuine stories, and other applicable data, one will understand the significance of permitting ladies to rival men in expert games (Shaw and Hoeber 347).
Societies expect that men and women should embrace, put stock in, and satisfy particular sexual orientation parts and generalizations that have been built up. In the western world, guys are required to be solid, autonomous, and athletic, while females are relied upon to be tranquil, respectful, alluring nurturers.
However, the current society demands implementation of gender rule. At the point when these sexual orientation standards are abused, it is normal for names to be given, questions to be asked, and individuals to be mocked. While “customary” sex generalizations have remained genuinely consistent in the course of time, they have additionally been tested and stood up to by numerous laws and activists.
Therefore, the biggest question that still lingers in the mind of many is that “should women be allowed to play with men in sports whether it is competitive or non-competitive?” This essay aims to answer this question.
Women in Sports
Nearly four decades ago, male and females stood up for themselves. During that period, women were not permitted to take part in any sporting activities that were predominantly meant for men. To stand firm, these individuals made a statutory law known as “Title IX”, which offered a chance to women that needed to play in expert games.
“Title IX” is a statutory law that required high schools and institutions of higher learning that were funded from the public coffers not to segregate on the premise of sex. The law also stated that the number of women athletic project needs to match up to the number of females on grounds. In addition, women should be dealt with pretty much the same as men would be dealt with on the playing field (Shaw and Hoeber 347).
When this law was enacted, many people thought that women will be given more opportunities in professional sports and that many of them would be able to live up to their dreams, but this did not come to pass.
In general, there are over 50 million following elite games, and in the midst of every season nearly half of them are always watching the game. By and large, nearly two-thirds of individuals that tune in to watch the professional game are females. It is unmistakably expressed that many women are obsessed with sports, especially pro sports.
However, by far as being recognized for their real talent is a matter that is still being debated on (McManus par.1.). Women are not only denied a right to have a say on the type of games they would like to take part, but also not given a chance to occupy other sporting positions like coaches, pundits, and managers. In other words, women are still discriminated against in the sporting world (Shaw and Hoeber 348).
According to Boeke, all these hurdles have not dampened the spirit of women (par. 5.). Women are continuing to do what they do best and are really working hard to realize their dreams. This is despite the fact that they are still viewed as sex symbols and not genuine athletes. She urges men to be more compassionate and be willing to show women that they are as much talented and very much appreciated (Boeke par. 6.).
Schmalz and Kerstetter point out that from the early childhood, children always demonstrate signs of adhering to societal rules that shape gender behaviors and actions (354). A lot of times these memories are carried forward to adult life and they become norms.
At the point when in truth both sexes ought to have the capacity to play together, the adolescence rules on the play area stick in setting up sexual orientation. In the early childhood, many games are played by both boys and girls, for instance, soccer, baseball, skating, surfing, and gymnastics. However, things start to change, particularly in high school (Schmalz and Kerstetter 535).
As individuals grow older, games start to be sorted out by sexual orientation and not capability (Schmalz and Kerstetter 535). The question we should be asking ourselves now is what needs to be done to keep young ladies on the playing field.
With a specific end goal of getting more information regarding the subject under study, Schmalz and Kerstetter asked 444 young men and young ladies on the play area between the ages of 8 and 10 the above question. This cluster was preferred because they are still discovering what it means to be a man or a woman. Amid this study, Schmalz and Kerstetter used questionnaires and one-on-one interviews with the purpose of determining the outcome.
The study found out that race, ethnicity, culture, family unit income and level of education were some of the factors determining whether girls and boys should share the same playground (Schmalz and Kerstetter 541).
Schmalz and Kerstetter also established that some boys and girls were more worried about how the society will view them if they shared the same playground. A number of them believed that if they play sports the opposite gender plays, people will think they are like them. For this reason, gender segregation in competitive and non-competitive sports is influenced by the society we live in ((Schmalz and Kerstetter 535).
In their recommendation, Schmalz and Kerstetter stress that no youngster should desert the sports they love to play just because the society thinks otherwise (556). They point out that very individuals dream is valid. They add that when girls and boys play together it enhances their social skills, help them to get along with each other and teach them that all gender can excel in anything if given a chance.
Nevertheless, the most unfortunate outcome of their study is that male sports are given more limelight than female sports starting from high school to the highest level.
In most case, women are scorned or laughed at when they share the same playground with men (Shaw and Hoeber 353). Shaw and Hoeber draw attention to the fact that a male’s desire to take part in female sports is not as strong as female’s desire to take part in male sports (355).
This is attributed to the fact that women are not always welcomed to participate in traditionally male sports. Therefore, acceptance is a critical factor. Nonetheless, both gender fears being accepted. However, Shaw and Hoeber advise that if an individual finds any sport irresistible he/she should never feel ashamed of it (Shaw and Hoeber 362).
Challenging common myths about women
There are numerous reasons people give as to why women do not take part in traditionally male sports, but has anybody in point of time ever appreciated the talent women have? According to Pugh, women have enough strength to compete with men (par. 3.).
He argues that on the off chance that a lady could work hard and achieve a male’s expertise level then they ought to have the capacity to contend at that level. Female competitors work as hard as male competitors; however, they are not appreciated as their male counterpart (Pugh par. 4.). Boeke argues that female competitors are not well represented (par. 7.).
Most agents represent male athletes more than female athletes at all level. As a matter of fact, female athletes are not given similar support as their male counterparts, including endorsement deals. Many women continue to play traditionally male sports basically due to their love for the game. However, some of them are always forced to drop their dreams because they don’t get enough support as their male counterpart playing in the same level (Boeke par. 8.).
Many people believe that female bodies do not function well to be included in traditionally male sports. However, McManus vehemently disputes this statement (par. 2.). McManus believes that when females work out the way their male counterpart do then the sky is the limit. She advises that every athlete both men and women alike must give 100 percent in order to be successful.
Women have to put in a similar amount of effort as men if they want to take part in male sports. According to her, the common fallacy that women are fragile and not aggressive is false. She believes that women are as smart, talented, and able as men. For this reason, women should be given a chance to participate side-by-side in traditionally male sports (McManus par. 3.).
In fact, on the off chance that more individuals set aside an ideal opportunity to take a seat and watch ladies take part in traditionally male sports, they would acknowledge skills and gifts they have. One won’t just notice the way that they are not getting the consideration that they do merit, but the amount of talent and amusement that is yet to be unearthed.
In many occasions, women and men are allowed to play together in non-professional games and they always excel. So the biggest question is “why don’t they be allowed to play with men at the professional level?” Some experts think they would make the male teams even better.
Therefore, associations need to construct choices in light of the gifts of the athletes, not their sex. This would improve the group (McManus par. 3.). Many a times, guys are concerned by how manly a lady can get. If males are terrified of females, why are they taking part in sports at all?
Even though women always desire to play with men, what about men who want to play with women? To what extent will they go? An example is the case of Kye Allums who made history in the basketball world. Kye Allums, who had undergone surgery to become a woman, made an appearance as a man at the NCAA basketball (Brener par. 1.).
Key felt uncomfortable dressing and pretending to be a woman. Before the match, he disclosed in an interview that he was about to conceal a part of him that was really essential. However, he let the colleagues know before the game and no one had a problem with that. The whole season the spectators thought he was a female.
Only his teammates and the coach knew he was not. The only problem he experienced was scholarship. He played very well in the women’s team, but he was also good enough to play in the men’s team. So, he was in a dilemma of whether to accept the scholarship as a man or a woman (Brener par. 2.).
Key’s story highlights some of the challenges female athletes go through by virtue of being a woman. Most women work tirelessly hard with the anticipation of getting a scholarship. However, most of the scholarships go to male athletes.
In the event that Kye were a man who turned into a woman, would the circumstance have played out in a different way? Women taking part in non-traditional sports have been found to experience more clash between their position as competitors and women (Brener par. 2.).
Shaw and Hoeber explain that for athletes to perform well, they have to be comfortable in their own skin (358). For this reason, Key knew he was uncomfortable with who he was on the court; however, he just had to accept who he was. All in all, Key made a milestone in the sporting world. His story is an inspiration to many women. Additional women need to rise up and make a difference. Key’s story will motivate many people to come out and follow their dreams.
Schmalz and Kerstetter reiterate that many people just assume that women cannot play alongside men without having any facts to back their argument (540). Most of them feel that women are far-off behind men when it comes to competitive sports. Besides, there are sports that women are not capable of playing. Schmalz and Kerstetter feel that such arguments are baseless (541).
They call upon men to start respecting women in sports and believe that it can only be achieved if men are taught and raised properly. Women are respected by men in many fields, but when it comes to sports, men want to play by the rules. Therefore, it is high time men start treating women as they treat each other on the pitch (Schmalz and Kerstetter 542)
There was a reported incident in the late 90s where a woman who had joined a male football team was sexually harassed and raped by a colleague (McManus par. 8.). Why would such conduct be tolerated? Why would someone look at her as a woman and not a team member? A section of the public, particularly men believed that she was seeking attention by bringing those charges.
They are forgetting that both men and women love attention. Consistently, male athletes hit the headlines, especially for the wrong reasons, for instance, drug addiction, doping issues and marital problems among others. Therefore, gender issues should be separated from the real issues. That’s the true spirit of sportsmanship where the best always wins. The best can only win when you assemble a strong team. A team comprising of both men and women would make a much stronger team.
Conclusion
Ethics has got three forms. The first form of ethics is descriptive ethics in which moral standards differ from one society to the other. The second form of ethics is normative ethics; it describes the norms that are accepted in one society but are denounced in another society. The third form of ethics is analytic ethics which fosters the idea that the level of morality is comparative.
Our study combines all the three forms of ethics. It assesses the manner in which people or organizations are expected to conduct themselves in the field of sports. To be specific, this essay assesses various limitations that hinder women from succeeding in sports. These limitations are mainly attributed to socioeconomic factors, such as race, ethnicity, culture, family unit income and level of education. Both experimental and empirical studies have shown that women are as smart, talented, and able as men, hence should not be discriminated.
They should be given all the necessary support in order to realize their dream in the sporting world. Huge numbers of the ladies that need to participate in the games have a decent piece of information to what they are truly getting themselves into.
A woman should never be denied an opportunity to take part in a game she has the ability to play. Young ladies don’t have the same choices as young men with regards to playing proficient games. Not very many games permit young ladies to take in substantial income and get to be stars. The misrepresentation, absence of media scope, generalizations, and limited scholarship opportunities increases their desire to participate in male expert games.
Women are as smart and talented as men. They have shown quality in the sporting world. On the off chance that more individuals set aside an ideal opportunity to take a seat and watch ladies take part in non-traditional sports, they would acknowledge skills and gifts they have. One won’t just notice the way that they are not getting the consideration that they do merit, but the amount of talent and amusement that is yet to be unearthed.
In a nutshell, women merit each privilege to play side-by-side with men, and if accorded a chance the public will never be disappointed. As already been mentioned, men and women ought to contend with each other on equivalent terms on games. The reason for abolishing gender segregation within sports is because of the true spirit of sportsmanship where the best individual wins.
The sexual contrasts are just superfluous. On the off chance that a female competitor can perform better that a male competitor, she ought to be permitted to take part in traditionally male sports. On the off chance that the reverse happens, let the best individual prevail. It is in fact as basic as that. Gender discrimination within sports should not be tolerated.
Works Cited
Boeke, Erica. Game Players: Women and Professional Sports. 2012. Web.
CAAWS. Success Stories: Increasing Opportunities for Girls and Women in National and Multi-Sport Organizations, CAAWS: Ottawa, 2005. Print.
McManus, Jane. Can Women Play with Men? 2011. Web.
Brener, Jeremy. Kye Allums: First Transgender Man Playing NCAA Women’s Basketball. 2013. Web.
Pugh, Jonathan. Should men and women be segregated in professional sports? 2012. Web.
Schmalz, Dorothy and Deborah Kerstetter. “Girlie Girls and Manly Men: Children’s Stigma Consciousness of Gender in Sports and Physical Activities.” Journal of Leisure Research 38.4 (2006):536-557. Print.
Shaw, Sally and Larena Hoeber. “ A Strong Man Is Direct and A Direct Women Is A Bitch: Gendered Discourses and Their Influence on Employment in Sports Organizations.” Journal of Sports Management 17.4 (2003):347-370. Print.