Sexy Sports

As I was doing extra research on my panel paper, I came across an article titled "Sexy Sports" by Noel S. Williams. I found this article extremely interesting; It discussed that feminist were "getting their panties in a twist" concerning women sports getting more attention by wearing sexy uniforms. An example used was the Lingerie Football League, where obviously the women wear bras and panties as uniform. The author notes that the league "probably is [sexist], but who cares?" The author also notes that "so what?" if the league is perceived to be an "objectification at its most pernicious". "We're talking about sexy football, not salary equity or workplace discrimination.” I believe that though these women choose to partake in this league, women are still objectified to their bodies and not necessarily the sport itself. There is no need for these women to be lingerie while, in the NFL, the men wear fully covered uniforms.  I am not saying that women playing football should be in the same uniform as the NFL requires its players to wear, but I do feel that the uniform should be a little more tasteful. It is unnecessary and impractical for women to be playing tackle football in just lingerie. Obviously, like many other industries, the driving factor is to make money by selling sex.  I feel that these women are seen as sex objects than outstanding athletes. I believe that this league, in a way, makes it acceptable for the general public to look at women in this light---only as sexy. There is so much more to women’s football, such as athleticism, empowerment, and determination, than just how a women looks in lingerie. There are so many different approaches to bring attention to athletic women than just wearing seductive uniforms, but our society has been constructed in such a way that sex is essentially found in everything---and I find it disgusting.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/02/sexy_sports.html 

Natasha Nguyen 
Women in Sport 
Wednesday 4-6:45