21st Century

Feminism is more than a simple movement to end sexism. In addition, feminism encompasses a wide range of social equality issues. I agree that feminism means many things to many people. This is one particular reason why I feel many people are hesitant to outwardly be an advocate of feminism. The social stigmas and biases attached to the label of a feminist can be extremely negative. As a result, a majority of people may hold feminist views however may not accept being labeled as a feminist. In today’s society I think it’s important to remember that people will have differences in opinion because of cultures which people were raised in. Nonetheless it’s pertinent that our society recognizes and respects that a person is entitled to choose their social identities, whether it be revolutionary or reformist.

Kristine Huliganga
T/TH; KIN338I-01 (3201)

Feminism????

Feminism is a strong word. A word that labels all women who seek equality in this world a "Mans World" as some people might say. In my own personal opinion i feel that everyone deserves equality. You deserve to get paid as much or more than someone if your qualified to do so. However, why is it that in most cases thats not the case. In our women in sports class i feel that so far we have taken a look at the humiliation and limitations that women were put at in the 1920's. In addition, we have also taken a look at the successful athletes that came out of that era.Even though these women back in the 1920's had tremendous challenges to overcome they still came out successful in what they did and proved that with hard work the opportunity to succeed is available. Back in the 1920's being a women did not stop these women to be successful and i don't think that today being a women is a stipulation for being successful in this country.
Armando Villanueva
Section 3201

IOC discriminating against women ski jumpers

So far we have talked about female athletes being discriminated against in past times. I wanted to take this blog opportunity and inform you all about discrimination that is going on right now in 2008. A current issue that has arose is that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is not allowing women ski jumpers to compete at the 2010 Winter Games. President Jacques Rogge of the IOC has stated that, "Allowing women ski jumpers into the 2010 Winter Olympics would dilute the medals given to others." Many of the women women ski jumpers feel that by keeping them out of the Games goes against Canadian values of equality and inclusion. "Ski jumping is an important sport, and we're investing a lot in jumping and training in facilities in Canada, and to not have women able to participate on the same basis as men, to me, I just don't think it's right." (Harry Bains/Olympic critic) The OCI so far has stood hard against the allegation saying that it is not in fact discrimination and that it is the respect of essential technical rules that say to become an Olympic sport, a sport must be widely practiced around the world. In this case, they push that women's ski jumping does not have a big appeal so there is no discrimination what so ever. I was wondering what you all have to say about this. Do you think it is discrimination? Or does the OCI have the right to not allow these women to participate until their sport has become more popular?

Kgorrell
kin 338I.S6

Charlotte Perkins Gilman

After reading in the text, (Women, Sport and Physical Activity) about Charlotte Gilman's struggles to be athletic or to conform to the "family norm" it really got me thinking about women in sports. I thought about how lucky women who live in the 21st century today are, because we have a lot of advantages that women in the 18th century didn't have. Not only are women now aloud to play sports without a question but we also have much more education about mental diagnoses. Gilman was a very athletic women who when confronted with conforming to societies norms felt like she had to give up her passion or working out and gymnastics to raise a family. When she chose to raise a family she became very depressed because she wasn't able to work out as much. The doctor told her to give up all physical activity. She was basically bed ridden. She was also instructed to have little or no contact with friends or family, which made her even more depressed. I know when I feel down or depressed what makes me most happy is to work out or be active, so I think us women of the 21st century should be most grateful that doctors are much more educated now and we don't have diagnoses like that anymore.

Tanya Mason
Kin 3381.s6

So far, so good

So far I’ve noticed how far we’ve come in the progression of women in sports. Back when Gilman and her friends merely had this idea of breaking away from the common notion of how woman weren’t suppose to be athletic or fit at all really. Now it’s regular to hear about women in sports in today’s society. It’s really interesting learning how this came about and some of the setbacks woman had to go through to get to where they are today. What greatly interests me is how society has changed in viewing women now as stronger and a more capable gender. How men use to dismiss any suggestion of women competing like when watching Dare to Compete and the co-director of the marathon tried to rip off the numbers of the lady he had no idea had entered. Also how different cultures allowed women in sports like in the reading about Japanese women in softball. It was good to see that women were getting the support they needed to compete from their community and how it was celebrated. I'm interested in learning how from the 1950's and up how woman have rightfully risen to where they are now.

Arnold Cruz section: 3201

Paralympic Athletes Add Equality to Their Goals