Men, Women, and Sports What is Acceptable Essay - 914 Words

Men, Women, and Sports: What is Acceptable? Throughout history, society has clearly defined the roles that men and women were expected to play. In these roles, men were seen as both physically and mentally stronger, and women were seen as more gentle, caring and physically and mentally weaker. As such, men participating in sports which demonstrate grace and elegance was not, and to some extent, still is not considered to be the norm. Likewise, women participating in sports which demonstrate or require a great deal of physical strength is considered to be un-ladylike. Additionally, there has been a certain physical image associated with both men and women, and when a person is physically different from what is considered the norm,†¦show more content†¦In other words, they are seen as men who are trying to be feminine, or women who are trying to be masculine. Thus, if they do not fit the image associated with the ideal man or the ideal woman, then they are branded as homosexual. This can be clearly illustrated by looking at various female tennis players, Martina Navratilova being the obvious example. Martina was the first female tennis player who really began to play tennis more as a power sport than a sport of technique. Thus she was seen to be playing in the style of men instead of playing womens tennis. Because she did not fit societys image of how a woman should look, behave and play tennis, she was ridiculed and branded as the proverbial bad egg when compared to her contemporaries. Additionally she was branded as a lesbian, which caused more hardship for her as she was forced to face a world which was much more homophobic at that time than it is now. Her sexual orientation is not really an issue here. It was just something that was used against her, and something that was assumed about her simply because she did not portray this feminine image that is expected of women. However, female tennis players who have continued to portray the feminine image in addition to being athletes have never been victim to the sort of ridicule and prejudice that Martina Navratilova was subjected to. In fact, it can be seen that women in all sports who portray a veryShow MoreRelatedThe Damaging Effect Of Sports On Women924 Words   |  4 PagesThe Damaging Effect of Sports on Women When it comes to the topic of sports, many people would assert that sports are a tool that can be used to bring people together. However, in her essay, â€Å"We Don’t Like Football, Do We?† Mariah Burton Nelson argues that sports have created a platform where men can be brought together to diminish the ideas and worth of women. Nelson argues that with the idea that men are meant to play sports that require more strength and force, women are beginning to increasinglyRead MoreEssay on The Evolution of the Image of Women in Sports1081 Words   |  5 PagesThe Evolution of the Image of Women in Sports 1. 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