Gender equality in sport has come a long way but it still has a long way to go. Gender discrimination in sports media is one of the reasons why this type of inequality still exists. Big corporate sponsorships and the attitude of the fans are other factors. Without the fans, the teams would not be watched, money would not be made and sport would not be what it is today. It is still true today that while nearly half of the participants in physical activities are women, they receive only a small percentage of coverage in major newspapers and other media.
Male athletes are still paid more than woman and win larger amounts of prize money. Colleges spend less of their operating budgets on female athletes and they get less in the way of athletic scholarships. Sponsors offer fewer endorsements to women than 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.
The perception of the role of women is perhaps largely to blame. Women are still seen more in the role or spectators, cheerleeders, supportive wives and mothers than for any athletic abilities they may possess. Commercial and advertisements tend to emphasize this and dwell on physical attributes and other factors rather than talent.
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.
Women are still perceived as being physically weaker than men, particularly when it comes to endurance activities such as marathons and weightlifting. However, there is no doubt from research that women athletes benefit from their activities just as much as men, enjoying significant health benefits. Reporting about activities like skiing and swimming are more balanced when it comes to women but even cycling and tennis is weighted in favor of men.
Another issue affecting women when it comes to sport is sexual harassment. Even women reporters often still have to face sexist remarks and endure wolf whistles when trying to report on a game. Women athletes have their appearance discussed in magazines as much as any of their sporting 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.
Male athletes are still paid more than woman and win larger amounts of prize money. Colleges spend less of their operating budgets on female athletes and they get less in the way of athletic scholarships. Sponsors offer fewer endorsements to women than 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.
The perception of the role of women is perhaps largely to blame. Women are still seen more in the role or spectators, cheerleeders, supportive wives and mothers than for any athletic abilities they may possess. Commercial and advertisements tend to emphasize this and dwell on physical attributes and other factors rather than talent.
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.
Women are still perceived as being physically weaker than men, particularly when it comes to endurance activities such as marathons and weightlifting. However, there is no doubt from research that women athletes benefit from their activities just as much as men, enjoying significant health benefits. Reporting about activities like skiing and swimming are more balanced when it comes to women but even cycling and tennis is weighted in favor of men.
Another issue affecting women when it comes to sport is sexual harassment. Even women reporters often still have to face sexist remarks and endure wolf whistles when trying to report on a game. Women athletes have their appearance discussed in magazines as much as any of their sporting 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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