A new perspective on women in sports

To be completely honest before taking this class, i was completely oblivious to how women in sports were treated. I knew they were some differences between how men's sports and women's sports were viewed, but i had no idea, how big of difference there was. Of course i would see female athletes in magazines, commercials, and ads,but i didn't think much of how they were photographed or how their stances were very sexual.

However after taking this class, I gained a new perspective, which showed me how we have made these female athletes sexual object, and judge them on their looks rather than their accomplishments. Unlike the males who get judged on how good they are in their sports. With this new insight i can see how all the ads have portrayed women in a demeaning manner, by having these women pose in bikinis and in sexual poses, while their male counterparts are photographed as sometimes god like. Having two younger sisters, I would hate them to think that the only way for them to be a great athlete is for them to wear next to nothing, because it's based on their looks, not their talent.

I think that the Internet can be a productive vehicle to stop this idea that women's sport is based on how they look, by informing not only the women population but especially the male populations of how the women are viewed, and the negative effects it has on the future women in sports. The great thing about the Internet is that anyone can make ads that exhibit women as a force to be reckon with, rather than eye candy.

-Chris Chau Kin. 338I T/TH 2-3:15

Speeding Towards Social Change

Upon entering our women in sport class, I definitely did not realize the issues around female athletes in the media. Although I had never read them, I had always assumed that magazines such as Sports Illustrated, showed many women inside the pages along with the men. After doing two awareness assignments that had to do with media, I found myself to be very wrong. Not only are women rarely shown, but when they are, they are usually sexualized. Instead of relying on magazines to change their ways, I do feel that the internet could be a very productive vehicle for social change. If there were websites on female sports, fans could have a place to get in depth news, and people interested in sports could have a place to learn more. I do think however, the only way for these websites to gather attention and succeed, is to be advertised on other popular websites or magazines. Maybe if these websites advertised in women's fitness magazines, or other popular women's websites, women would be more aware of the female athletic world out there.

-Jenna Van Orden Kin 338I T/TH 2-3:15

Internet as a vehicle for social change?

Does the internet have the ability to portray female athletes as athletic instead of only being presented in the media as sexual objects? YES! The internet can be used as a special tool, more people use the internet today than ever. Private groups can now get their own websites and do whatever they choose to do to them. I see the internet as being able to depict women in more than just sexual objects, websites can be created by foundations to endorse the exposure of female athletes actually being athletes. If more websites were created like this i think we would see less hype about female athletes being portrayed in provocative ways. The internet has lots of possibilities because it allows people to connect from all over and share ideas and thoughts, this can be true for women in sport too, such as this blog site, the whole blog devoted to the education and information that is entailed with women in sport. I can see future websites and other media venues in the future that will depict female athletes as more than just a good looking pair of legs, but as strong, motivated, elite athletes.

Ryan Dunham Kin. 338I T/TH 2-3:15

What women in sport has taught me

When i first came to class on the day of our title IV article discussion, I thought I knew what title IV was all about, but i had no clue as to how deep the legalities and history of it goes. I first thought title IV was a rule enforced by the schools, which made the schools equal out women's and men's sports. Before this class i was unaware that title IV has three areas of concentration in which women must be treated similarly to men, financial assistance, benefits, and accommodation of interest are all covered by title IV. What i found to be really shocking is the number of programs that still do not fully comply with title IV. I think there needs to be a better way of regulating and punishing schools for violations of these rules. I think it is funny how some people believe that title IV took so much away from male athletics, when in reality according to our text book record numbers of high school and college male athletes were reported, title IV simply makes sporting for female more accessible and more enjoyable.

Ryan Dunham Kin. 338I T/TH 2-3:15

A Website for Social Change

Internet can be a great way to reach the public in a less censored and mainstream manner. For women’s sports there is potential to represent athletes for their capabilities and accomplishments rather than their beauty. The lower costs of website management in comparison to print media may encourage more risks taken in the advertisement of women athletics in general. Those responsible for representing women athletes in print and TV may predict financial losses in using non-sexualized depictions of female athletes and resist attempting such a change. If an internet site can show proof of interest in women’s athletics without emphasis on body image, this may assist in a social change as well. If created well, this type of site may help increase interest in female athleticism. For example, since I rarely see any women sports on TV while flipping channels, I have fewer opportunities to get involved and interested. If a great website, with sports footage, interviews and athletic images was advertised I would most likely browse through it and possibly become a new fan of women sports.

-Anat Journo