Looking for equality in sports arena of gender

It’s Friday night at the Herd. West Vs. North. A historic showdown between rival schools should have had the stands filled to the brim with cheers. The girls team was scheduled to open and the boys squad would close out the night. Yet, the stands remained empty well into the second half of the girls game, only to begin filling when the less successful boys hit the floor. This offers anecdotal proof that such inequity is not just a national concern but a trend seen even in the local community. The question stands, what is the reason for the lack of popularity for female sports?

Women’s sports have made big strides for equality: US soccer has been the first federation to offer equal prize money for female World Cup teams, and the first women-headlined boxing match has also recently played out at Madison Square Garden. Yet, there still is immense room for improvement. Most content advertised on TV seems to be male-dominated, with prime examples in the United States being the NBA and NFL. What is the reason why men’s sports garner so much more interest?

First and foremost, men tend to watch sports more. 86% of men report watching sports while only 72% of women report doing so. Men also tend to watch more male-dominated sports (about 69%). So, if men are statistically watching more sports, and those men are watching more male-dominated sports, then is it really underlying sexism inhibiting the recognition of women’s sports?

Women’s sports also garner far less media coverage. According to the car company Buick, women’s sports receive only 10% of coverage despite making up 40% of athletes. It’s hard to make any real strides within the world of female sports when there really isn’t anywhere to watch it.

When was the last time that the West dance team was given as much recognition or enthusiasm as our football team over those live announcements or even just around the school? Girls’ soccer? Any other female sport? The situation at West mirrors an age-old perception of women’s sports that will be hard to break.

Media in general has a hard time even attempting to make those strides. Lack of coverage leads to lack of knowledge of the team and lack of knowledge leads to an overall misunderstanding about women’s sports and myriad misconceptions still being perpetuated by men. Male sports announcers have a long history of discounting female sports. It is irrational to write off an entire sport just because they’re women. But the sad truth is that our society is male-dominated, especially in sports. So, those misconceptions will never get cleared up and, according to them, why would they need to?

It could be reasoned that women’s sports aren’t popular due to a disparity in “action” and “intensity.”. And yes, maybe watching sweaty men do the same thing that sweaty women do may be more appealing to the male eye, but even so it still doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. It is all up to personal preference and what may not be entertaining to you may be to another person. 

There has been a strong history of disregard to women in sports. Back in 1938, sportswriter Paul Gallico famously stated that“it is a lady’s business to look beautiful and there are hardly any sports in which she seems able to do it.” Despite history moving well into the 21st century, it seems we cannot leave these age-old opinions behind. More recently, HBO sports personality Bill Simmons in 2006 concluded that “the vast majority of WNBA players lack crossover sex appeal…. The baggy uniforms don’t help.” And even more recently in 2015, Sports Illustrated Contributor Anny Bennoit said “Women’s sports, in general, are not worth watching.”, 

This history of sports announcers disrespecting female athletes may contribute to its lack of coverage today. Lack of or poor media coverage as well as overall attitude against women in sports can contribute, in a way, to its lack of recognition at the local level. “Popping out” at games that seem to be constantly disrespected isn’t something everyone is jumping to do. 

Female sports in general are constantly disrespected and underrepresented. Making a point to go out of your way to support female athletics here at West may be a step to help combat this lack of representation within the world of sports.

By Anika Flores

February 21 2023

Oshkosh West Index volume 119 Issue V