The growth of women in male dominated sports is increasing. Participation has increased in schools on the high school level as well as the college level, with women competing on some men's varsity teams.
An article in the New York Times about women's wrestling in colleges had caught my eye. I had just completed reading Chapter 8 in our text that talked about females in athletics and it mentioned that females now have the opportunity to participate in sports because of Title IX, a federal gender-equity law. The article in the New York Times also mentioned Title IX, although it said quite the opposite. It stated that growth of such an unconventional women's sport as wrestling at small private institutions has more to do with increasing revenue for the school from increased enrollment than it does with Title IX. How many schools institute participation in unconventional women's sports for revenue reasons rather than for gender equality? Are there equal opportunities provided for both the male and female athletes? Are the women's teams receiving the same support or are they only created to benefit the institution?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Class Business Post Week #2
As a golf professional at a nearby golf club, I am faced with diversity and gender issues on a daily basis. When golf originated, it was known as a gentlemen's game. Although times have changed and women have come to enjoy the game, the majority of members at the club are men and all of the employees are men accept for the female general manager. Accepting her as part of the club is difficult for most. Both direct and indirect comments are made.
I think this is a good example of a stereotype. "Many people stereotype women as emotional and weak and stereotypes such as these can distort our perceptions" (Wood, p. 123). They don't take into consideration her abilities. They are immediately blinded by the fact that she is a woman, and to a majority of the male members, "trying" to do a man's job. "Relying on stereotypes can lead us to overlook important qualities of individuals and to perceive them only in terms of what we consider common to general category (Wood, p. 123).
I don't know if this type of stereotype will ever change completely in such a male dominated establishment, but I guess everyone will have to begin to accept it.
I think this is a good example of a stereotype. "Many people stereotype women as emotional and weak and stereotypes such as these can distort our perceptions" (Wood, p. 123). They don't take into consideration her abilities. They are immediately blinded by the fact that she is a woman, and to a majority of the male members, "trying" to do a man's job. "Relying on stereotypes can lead us to overlook important qualities of individuals and to perceive them only in terms of what we consider common to general category (Wood, p. 123).
I don't know if this type of stereotype will ever change completely in such a male dominated establishment, but I guess everyone will have to begin to accept it.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Class Business Post Week #1
It has only been one week since I started this course and it has already made me more aware of gender issues on television, in the newspaper, and everywhere around me. These issues have always existed, but until this point, were never brought to my attention.
The other night I was watching an episode of the George Lopez Show, one I have seen a few times and have never made any gender associations with it. In this episode, George and his family were mourning the loss of his mother-in-law. George's son was talking to him about how he felt about losing his grandmother and George responded, "Men are not suppose to cry, men are suppose to be strong". As you can see, the emphasis is put on the definition of masculinity. As the book states, "to be masculine is to be strong, ambitious, successful, rational, and emotionally controlled" (Wood, p. 24). Society has made this classification. We have been taught this since infancy and how much emphasis is put on this depends on our culture and our beliefs.
Given the man changes over the years in the roles of men and women, will the stereotype of what it is to be masculine or faminine always exist? I think people should be who they really are and not what society wants them to be.
The other night I was watching an episode of the George Lopez Show, one I have seen a few times and have never made any gender associations with it. In this episode, George and his family were mourning the loss of his mother-in-law. George's son was talking to him about how he felt about losing his grandmother and George responded, "Men are not suppose to cry, men are suppose to be strong". As you can see, the emphasis is put on the definition of masculinity. As the book states, "to be masculine is to be strong, ambitious, successful, rational, and emotionally controlled" (Wood, p. 24). Society has made this classification. We have been taught this since infancy and how much emphasis is put on this depends on our culture and our beliefs.
Given the man changes over the years in the roles of men and women, will the stereotype of what it is to be masculine or faminine always exist? I think people should be who they really are and not what society wants them to be.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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