Have you ever noticed women athletes getting recognized for their accomplishments on the field or court? Is there much exposure to women's sports in the news, sports station, or Internet because of their talent and ability to perform in a sport?
Most likely, you have answered no to most or all of these questions. Women's sports are not exactly publicized like they should be or for the appropriate reasons. When female sports are mentioned, it is most likely due to a vulgarity or inappropriate circumstance that occurred during the game.
For example, you would not have heard or even see anything about the collegiate women's soccer league if it were not for the athlete from New Mexico who abused the opposing team for most of the game. From intentionally tipping people, puling hair, to punching women, this athlete had every intention to physically harming opponents to get ahead in the game.
Because she performed such an act, the media jumped on it and spread it like a wild fire on sports media and even you tube! How did this kind of attention become a standard for women's athletics and the game in general? Unfortunately, the media only promotes women's athletics when similar instances occur, turning people away from sports and disrespecting those who play.
Another unfortunate means of attention to women in athletics is that of sex appeal. There are several women athletes who utilize promotional tools and use their sex appeal to become recognized. In most cases, the sport in which the individual plays is not represented and the product she is promoting is not noticeable at a first glance. Women have to degrade themselves and step down a level to become recognized in a sport, not based on their talent, but more so on they way she looks and how much she can reveal to society.
It is sad to think that women's sports have lost the respect it deserves because of disrespectful acts and the lure of sexual appearance. It is almost as if women have to have no respect for themselves or the game to become recognized as a talented, hardworking athlete. It is unacceptable that women have to go through such lengths to become known.
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Unfortunately, female athletes usually are not seen as true athletes as they are for their sex appeal or when something controversial happens. The girl on the New Mexico soccer team is a perfect example. Like someone in class said, if she never 'crossed the boundaries' and did what she did, that soccer game would've never been broadcasted on TV - especially ESPN! I agree it is sad, our media needs to focus on accomplishments of female athletes than outside factors including sex appeal or violence (for example.)
ReplyDeleteWomen are not usually seen for their true athletic ability because the attention is usually on their sex appeal.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the New Mexico soccer player. Her team would not have gotten any attention that day on ESPN if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. It's a shame that in order to get attenion from ESPN and from media she had to attack the other team.
How can the ideas about the gender of "audience building" be applied (or encouraged) so that the media represents female athletes in a more positive light?
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