Gender Discrimination in Sports
Added on 2022-11-25
15 Pages3663 Words210 Views
Running Head: GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN SPORTS 1
GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN SPORTS
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GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN SPORTS
Name
Tutor
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Date of Submission
GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN SPORTS 2
Introduction
Several debates have emerged that discuss gender discrimination in sports. Women are
viewed as the weaker gender. Therefore, they are not offered equal opportunities with men in
sports. In 1896, the Barron Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the modern Olympics said that a
woman is not able to sustain certain shocks despite how toughened she can be as a sportswoman
(Fuller, 2016). This shows that gender discrimination will remain to be a huge problem in the
athletics industry. However, currently, women activists have come out to fight gender
discrimination in sports. The UNESCO as well declared in 1978 that every individual as a right to
participate in physical activity and sports. Nevertheless, even in the current 21st century, there are
still issues of equal rights, unequal recognition, unequal viewership, unequal pay, and unequal
opportunities (Teetzel & Weaving, 2017). It is said that 40% of those participating in sports are
women. Nevertheless, women sports do not have significant fan base nor viewership. Additionally,
they receive about 4% of media coverage. Due to these factors, we sought to carry out a research
to determine issues surrounding gender discrimination in sports with focus in Canada.
Statement of problem
Sport is a social activity that calls for equal participation and social inclusion. On the
contrary, sport is characterized by several types of social exclusion as well as discrimination such
as gender disparity and sexism (Nogueira et al., 2017). Women sports are usually ignored and less
appreciated. Cases of unfair treatment towards women keeps on increasing day by day. This is a
global problem that needs to be addressed quickly in order to find a permanent solution. People
have accused women sports to be less interesting that’s why it results to poor pay. According to
the Women’s Sports Foundation, there are several opportunities for male athletes as compared to
women. It is estimated that male athletes receive $179 million more than their female counterparts
Introduction
Several debates have emerged that discuss gender discrimination in sports. Women are
viewed as the weaker gender. Therefore, they are not offered equal opportunities with men in
sports. In 1896, the Barron Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the modern Olympics said that a
woman is not able to sustain certain shocks despite how toughened she can be as a sportswoman
(Fuller, 2016). This shows that gender discrimination will remain to be a huge problem in the
athletics industry. However, currently, women activists have come out to fight gender
discrimination in sports. The UNESCO as well declared in 1978 that every individual as a right to
participate in physical activity and sports. Nevertheless, even in the current 21st century, there are
still issues of equal rights, unequal recognition, unequal viewership, unequal pay, and unequal
opportunities (Teetzel & Weaving, 2017). It is said that 40% of those participating in sports are
women. Nevertheless, women sports do not have significant fan base nor viewership. Additionally,
they receive about 4% of media coverage. Due to these factors, we sought to carry out a research
to determine issues surrounding gender discrimination in sports with focus in Canada.
Statement of problem
Sport is a social activity that calls for equal participation and social inclusion. On the
contrary, sport is characterized by several types of social exclusion as well as discrimination such
as gender disparity and sexism (Nogueira et al., 2017). Women sports are usually ignored and less
appreciated. Cases of unfair treatment towards women keeps on increasing day by day. This is a
global problem that needs to be addressed quickly in order to find a permanent solution. People
have accused women sports to be less interesting that’s why it results to poor pay. According to
the Women’s Sports Foundation, there are several opportunities for male athletes as compared to
women. It is estimated that male athletes receive $179 million more than their female counterparts
GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN SPORTS 3
in athletic scholarship annually (Eitzen, 2016). The gap is so wide, which calls for implementation
of an action that would bridge the gap.
Research question
Therefore, the present study aimed at identifying underlying factors resulting into gender
discrimination and practices that can be implemented to promote gender equality in sports. The
following objectives were established.
To determine factors contributing to gender discrimination in the field of sports
To assess the resulting social issues as a result of gender discrimination
To investigate strategies/practices that can be implemented to promote gender
equality in sports
Literature review: Peer-review article summaries
Article 1: Gender discrimination in sports (Vishwas, 2016)
The author assessed the issues surrounding gender discrimination in sports industry. He
notes that sport has several social problems that revolves around gender issue. In America, sport
was incorporated in school program officially in the mid-1800s. This was aimed at offering equal
opportunities for girls and boys. Nevertheless, the girl child is still discriminated on the basis of
being the weaker gender and unable to withstand a lot of pressure or vigorous activity. He noted
that socio-cultural issues significantly promote gender inequality in sports (Senne, 2016). For
instance, the societal norms and attitudes believe that the physiological status of girls and women
does not allow them to participate in vigorous activities. It is thought that if they do so, they will
affect their reproductive system hence reduce the chances of conceiving in future (Vishwas, 2016).
They believe that women do not have a capability to endure sports such as weightlifting and
marathons. This is a misconception that some communities still hold on. In fact, Weaving, (2017)
in athletic scholarship annually (Eitzen, 2016). The gap is so wide, which calls for implementation
of an action that would bridge the gap.
Research question
Therefore, the present study aimed at identifying underlying factors resulting into gender
discrimination and practices that can be implemented to promote gender equality in sports. The
following objectives were established.
To determine factors contributing to gender discrimination in the field of sports
To assess the resulting social issues as a result of gender discrimination
To investigate strategies/practices that can be implemented to promote gender
equality in sports
Literature review: Peer-review article summaries
Article 1: Gender discrimination in sports (Vishwas, 2016)
The author assessed the issues surrounding gender discrimination in sports industry. He
notes that sport has several social problems that revolves around gender issue. In America, sport
was incorporated in school program officially in the mid-1800s. This was aimed at offering equal
opportunities for girls and boys. Nevertheless, the girl child is still discriminated on the basis of
being the weaker gender and unable to withstand a lot of pressure or vigorous activity. He noted
that socio-cultural issues significantly promote gender inequality in sports (Senne, 2016). For
instance, the societal norms and attitudes believe that the physiological status of girls and women
does not allow them to participate in vigorous activities. It is thought that if they do so, they will
affect their reproductive system hence reduce the chances of conceiving in future (Vishwas, 2016).
They believe that women do not have a capability to endure sports such as weightlifting and
marathons. This is a misconception that some communities still hold on. In fact, Weaving, (2017)
GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN SPORTS 4
has shown that there is no connection between emotional, mental, and medical problems with
physical activity. Similarly, many women are taking part in marathons and weightlifting, only that
they are not given enough support. The author went on to show how gender discrimination in
sports is also prevalent in colleges. This acts as a hindrance for female athletes who want to pursue
a career in the field of sports (Buzuvis, 2015).
The author also demonstrated that women coaches and administrators are less compared to
men. This was also supported by Burton, (2015) who demonstrated discrimination of women on
the top positions such as administrators or coaches. Interestingly, even majority of ladies squads
are coached by men. Currently, about half of females’ teams especially in colleges are coached by
men while on the contrary, women coaches about 2% of males’ teams (Vishwas, 2016). This is
the same trend that is replicated in secondary school as well as in other general teams. The author
showed health benefits that are associated with sports. Physical activities prevent against possible
heart attacks, osteoporosis, back problems, and strokes while at the same time improving
cardiovascular strength and endurance. Lope et al. 2017 showed that women who exercise
regularly during their childbearing years have lower rate of getting premenopausal breast cancer.
Additionally, participating in sports increases self-esteem of girls and women as they attain a good
body size.
Therefore, to alleviate these issues that result into gender discrimination, the author
suggested several strategies that would bring change in the field of sports. These include; pushing
for gender equity policies, speaking out against gender discrimination and inequity, offering
support to girls and women sports, formation and joining women rights organization, challenging
the myths, and spreading general awareness (Vishwas, 2016). The results obtained by the author
showed women face sexual harassment and also discriminated on the basis of sports costumes.
has shown that there is no connection between emotional, mental, and medical problems with
physical activity. Similarly, many women are taking part in marathons and weightlifting, only that
they are not given enough support. The author went on to show how gender discrimination in
sports is also prevalent in colleges. This acts as a hindrance for female athletes who want to pursue
a career in the field of sports (Buzuvis, 2015).
The author also demonstrated that women coaches and administrators are less compared to
men. This was also supported by Burton, (2015) who demonstrated discrimination of women on
the top positions such as administrators or coaches. Interestingly, even majority of ladies squads
are coached by men. Currently, about half of females’ teams especially in colleges are coached by
men while on the contrary, women coaches about 2% of males’ teams (Vishwas, 2016). This is
the same trend that is replicated in secondary school as well as in other general teams. The author
showed health benefits that are associated with sports. Physical activities prevent against possible
heart attacks, osteoporosis, back problems, and strokes while at the same time improving
cardiovascular strength and endurance. Lope et al. 2017 showed that women who exercise
regularly during their childbearing years have lower rate of getting premenopausal breast cancer.
Additionally, participating in sports increases self-esteem of girls and women as they attain a good
body size.
Therefore, to alleviate these issues that result into gender discrimination, the author
suggested several strategies that would bring change in the field of sports. These include; pushing
for gender equity policies, speaking out against gender discrimination and inequity, offering
support to girls and women sports, formation and joining women rights organization, challenging
the myths, and spreading general awareness (Vishwas, 2016). The results obtained by the author
showed women face sexual harassment and also discriminated on the basis of sports costumes.
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