Gender Equity in Sports
Women have always been discouraged from playing sports by myths and stereotypes perpetuated by the societies all over the world. The common myths suggested are invariably to do with her physical appearance or reproductive system. For example - if she plays sports, she will become unfeminine; if she plays sports, she will develop an eating disorder; if she trains too hard, her ovaries and bladder will drop; or funnier still, women who play sports are lesbians.
These myths and stereotypes have arisen from lack of knowledge, as well as, fear of the unknown, and more importantly, the desire of many men to keep the powerful institution of sports for themselves.
The Role of Media in Gender Inequity
Adding fuel to the fire is the print and electronic media who have failed to highlight the sports issues of women or rendered her invisible. Even these days the sports pages devote more columns to horses (racing) than women’s sports. Ninety per cent of all television hours devoted to sports focus on men’s sports. The achievements of women in sports can only be glimpsed on the occasions of the Olympic Games or the important tennis matches, and the coverage of ice skating and gymnastics events which are the most feminine of women’s sports.
No Corporate Sponsorship
Corporations, too, have always supported the male sports establishment and not women’s sports. Although corporate support of women’s sports in recent years has increased, there is still a tremendous gap between men’s and women’s sports from general sponsorships to professional athlete purses.
What Laws Say About Gender Equity in Sports?
Title IX is a law guaranteeing that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. This includes gender equity in sports too. Gender equity laws are active in other countries too.
Although, girls’ participation and interest in athletics has increased exponentially as opportunities have been provided, significant discrepancies still exist between men’s and women’s sport. For example, no legislation provides direction to institutions regarding the price charged for public admittance to men’s and women’s athletic events. This clearly reveals that, if the price of attendance at men’s and women’s athletic events differs, so might the value associated with each team.
How to Create Gender Equity?
Creating gender equity need not be a distant dream if the following approaches to the problem are considered. First, maximizing fundraising, sponsorship and gate receipt revenues in all sport programs is a must. Second, reducing administrative and other expenses that do not directly affect the athlete may help in accumulating the much-needed funds. Third, if the necessity arises to cut sport opportunities, it is better to establish squad limits. Last but not the least, in cases where scholarship budgets have to be slashed, the number and scholarships for athletes who qualify for need-based aid should not be affected.
Participation opportunities and the value lessons of sport are equally important for both men and women. It is time for the world as a whole to demonstrate its commitment to gender equity in sports. There are solutions to this problem if we are determined to find them.
Sources: Women Sports Foundation, Collegenews