The sport of badminton is a competition between competitors to hit a birdy back and forth with racquets across a court. The sport is similar to tennis but different because the birdy is designed to have more drag to decelerate faster than a tennis ball. Popular among men and women, and included in the Olympics, the sport has never been considered a fashion statement. However, the Badminton World Federation has created a new rule going into affect June 1 2011 forcing all female players MUST wear skirts. This is “to ensure attractive presentation of badminton” according to the Badminton World Federation. Since when though, is a sport about fashion and looking attractive? While athletes are competing in their sports, they are not thinking of modeling a certain way, if their make-up is running, if the outfit makes them look fat, or anything that goes on in the fashion world. What athletes are focused on is the goal of the sport; to have fun, to be their very best, and to win. The Badminton World Federation would like to turn their women athletes into an “attractive presentation” which is degrading and unethical. In our class sessions, we have learned throughout the course of the semester, of the struggles women had to face through sports history, and it’s sad that women are still facing many of the same struggles. Fashion and sport should not be of the same thing. What is unfair to me, also, is that a vote or consensus, asking female badminton players who are in the federation if they would like to wear skirts or if they felt it was appropriate, was not taken. Truly though, if the Badminton World Federation is looking for their sports to become more attractive and rules are applying to women, maybe rules should apply to the men as well, such as requiring male players to have a toned body and play with their shirts off. Maybe the sport of badminton will get more attention then, and the sport will be more attractive.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/18/female-badminton-players-skirts-only_n_863929.html
Nickol Black. KIN 338I tu/th 2:00-3:15
1 comment:
As I have recently taken badminton as a class in the spring semester, I was able to connect with this post as I came across the capturing headline. All females in my class had worn pants or shorts, and I never came across a female with a skirt. However, we did watch a professional match and the female athletes were wearing skirts but I never payed too much attention until I realized what The Badminton World Federation is trying to impose on women's sport. I also agree with Nickol as the purpose of forcing female badminton athletes to wear skirts intentionally just to bring more audience and appeal to attraction is very much unethical as well as degrading. Female athletes in general, who pose provocatively in the media are not creating a positive image on behalf of women's sport. The media's purpose to grow the business is not allowing a female athlete to really be an athlete. Forcing them to wear skirts to attract presentation is only labeling gender roles and providing false images of sexuality. For example in this case, shortening the clothing to show more skin that will ensure them more attractiveness. Although this may bring more attention, it may also be uncomfortable for the female athlete, knowing that she must keep a feminine image but play hard, rough and competitive. As our multiple class discussions about gender stereotypes and how and what it consists of, labeling a female feminine or a male masculine, we are able to see how society and many media threads are continuing this status quo. Badminton can be a competitive sport that consists of speed and agility which may be a little uncomfortable to be wearing a skirt just because more men will watch! Along with the wrong intentions of The Badminton World Federation, these female athletes may also suffer from self-esteem issues, pressure to keep an "image" or simply give up her sport due to unethical circumstances on which she does not agree with. If it's tough for me to keep my image to maintain the label "girl" imagine a strong, muscular toned female that must worry about having her hair nice for the interviews after a match or having to wear a skirt to comply with the femininity that society portrays to be like. skirt does not equal revenue!
Perla P. (Kin338 May Intersession 2011)
Post a Comment