Progress has been made when it comes to equality of men and women in sport but there is still much room for improvement. Gender discrimination in sports media is one of the reasons for lack of progress. However, these newspapers, sport channels and magazines are simply giving readers what they want. The corporate sponsors and the fans are just as much to blame for lack of progress. The truth is that despite the vastly increased participation of women in sport, the amount of coverage they receive is much less than the men.
Money talks and this is where the disparity can easily be seen. Men still win more prize money for winning events and receive more money for endorsements from sponsors. Even the colleges offer more athletic scholarships to men.
Men revel in their physicality and look for ways to prove their dominance with their speed, power and strength. The field of sport gives them this opportunity and the media reinforces this all the way. The star status of football, basketball and hockey players is promoted at every opportunity. Many women are successful in these arenas too but one would not think so from the amount of recognition they receive. Even when they win gold medals at the Olympics, they do not receive as much attention in the newspapers and other media as the men.
This is perhaps due to the fact that perceptions need to change. The role of women still seems to be seen by many as a supportive one. They are the spectators, the cheerleaders, the mothers and the wives. Their own athletic skills take a secondary place. Advertisers do not help in that they tend to reinforce this perception in the way they portray women.
There are more men reporters than women and the women who do enter this profession often struggle. They are often faced with sexual remarks when trying to report on games. They have to have tough skins to make their way in this male dominated profession. Less female reporters also means less coverage of women and so sponsors are not as interested in supporting them.
There are many areas where women are just as successful as men because the sport does not rely on stamina and power alone. Reporting on swimming, cycling and ice-skating does seem to reveal more balance when it comes to reporting on women than others like wrestling or endurance marathons. However, even a sport like tennis where some women are extremely successful, still shows disparity.
Women in sport are also affected by sexual innuendos. This is not helped by the fact that articles in magazines often do not only dwell on their sporting abilities but often discuss their appearance as well and other factors unrelated to their achievements.
There are even fewer large sporting events for women due to less money being available from sponsors for such events. It is a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. Perceptions need to shift so that women can receive the coverage they deserve. There is some progress being made as people realize the issue needs to be addressed. Some large corporates have sponsored a website devoted to women athletes and their exploits. This is an indication that changes are on the way and there is hope that eventually all participants in sports will receive the same respect.
Money talks and this is where the disparity can easily be seen. Men still win more prize money for winning events and receive more money for endorsements from sponsors. Even the colleges offer more athletic scholarships to men.
Men revel in their physicality and look for ways to prove their dominance with their speed, power and strength. The field of sport gives them this opportunity and the media reinforces this all the way. The star status of football, basketball and hockey players is promoted at every opportunity. Many women are successful in these arenas too but one would not think so from the amount of recognition they receive. Even when they win gold medals at the Olympics, they do not receive as much attention in the newspapers and other media as the men.
This is perhaps due to the fact that perceptions need to change. The role of women still seems to be seen by many as a supportive one. They are the spectators, the cheerleaders, the mothers and the wives. Their own athletic skills take a secondary place. Advertisers do not help in that they tend to reinforce this perception in the way they portray women.
There are more men reporters than women and the women who do enter this profession often struggle. They are often faced with sexual remarks when trying to report on games. They have to have tough skins to make their way in this male dominated profession. Less female reporters also means less coverage of women and so sponsors are not as interested in supporting them.
There are many areas where women are just as successful as men because the sport does not rely on stamina and power alone. Reporting on swimming, cycling and ice-skating does seem to reveal more balance when it comes to reporting on women than others like wrestling or endurance marathons. However, even a sport like tennis where some women are extremely successful, still shows disparity.
Women in sport are also affected by sexual innuendos. This is not helped by the fact that articles in magazines often do not only dwell on their sporting abilities but often discuss their appearance as well and other factors unrelated to their achievements.
There are even fewer large sporting events for women due to less money being available from sponsors for such events. It is a vicious cycle that needs to be broken. Perceptions need to shift so that women can receive the coverage they deserve. There is some progress being made as people realize the issue needs to be addressed. Some large corporates have sponsored a website devoted to women athletes and their exploits. This is an indication that changes are on the way and there is hope that eventually all participants in sports will receive the same respect.
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