Women in Sports

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Women in Sports

Hina Qureshi

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        Historical evidence proves that women have been involved in sports since fourth century BC; but were not necessarily given the approval to participate.  Many restrictions were enforced to keep women out of these male activities and were continually reinforced until the twentieth century.  Women entering the world of sports were aware that they were placing themselves into a male dominated field. With their entrance into the sporting world, these women have opened themselves up to many different criticisms and to the possibility of exploitation within the media and from male authority figures. Women in sports are constantly striving for equality where hegemonic masculinity in social sporting institutions value male athleticism at the expense of female athletes.

        From a historical perspective there is evidence that provides a detailed accounting of the evolution female athletes have made in the sporting arena.  Throughout the decades of the twentieth century, women embarked on opportunities to fight for their equality. The suffrage movement brought forth the idea of women’s rights, which led to the “golden age of women’s sports” in 1920 (Simri 67). Women in this era began to participate in a larger number of sports such as golf, tennis, swimming and basketball.  As women’s status in society began to shift, the idea of one’s independence began to emerge within the social fabric of society. This common ideal led to the fight for social and physical equality in all area’s of life, including the athletic field of competition. History has proven that women have achieved many of their goals within the sporting world. Unfortunately, new problems are arising now that women have succeeded in gaining these hard fought opportunities (Simir 67-120).

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        One issue faced by female athletes in their chosen sport, is the perception they lack physical capabilities and the issues surrounding this myth.  Before the 1920’s women were only allowed to participate in sports that required little to no physical activity (Simri 40-48).  Women at a young age were taught that their bodies are physically weaker than males. As a result, women would not use their bodies to their full capability in fear of being socially ostracized or causing bodily harm to themselves. Thus, perpetuating the false notion that they were inherently weaker than male athletes.  These ideas of female ...

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