Gender

Question 1

Define Gender differences

Answer 1

Social and psychological characteristics and behaviours associated with females and males

Question 2

Define Sex differences

Answer 2

Biologically based differences

Question 3

Define Feminism

Answer 3

• men and women should be social, political, and economic equals
• Equity for ALL – men and women alike
• Never ever to surpass or oppress men, but to live beside them in the workplace, the home and other sectors without prejudice

Question 4

What is the historical comparison of Women vs men in sport

Answer 4

• Lower participation rates (team sports)
• Under-representation in all areas of leadership, management, and decision making
• Under-representation in all areas of coaching (esp. elite level)
• Inadequate and inappropriate media coverage
• Greater drop-out rates
• Less sponsorship and funding

Question 5

What are the 2 major themes in research on female media coverage?

Answer 5

1. Exclusion: Sport media provides minimal coverage of women’s sports
2. Trivialisation: Describing female athletes as sex objects or comparing their abilities to men or trivialising

Question 6

What is a consequence of trivialisation (sexialisation) of female athletes in the media?

Answer 6

Key finding of a bipartisan Senate inquiry (2007) into female participation in sport and recreation:
* Teenage girls were leaving amateur sports because of body image issues exacerbated by uniforms

Question 7

Effect of homophobia in sport

Answer 7

• discrimination, prejudice, harassment, bullying and violence
• The consequences of coming out remain strong in both men and women’s sport
• Many women do not choose to participate because they fear being associated with the lesbian label
• Makes men/boys fear expressing feelings and interests that are outside rigid traditional conceptions of masculinity

Question 8

Why do Elite Athletes Seldom Challenge Traditional Gender Ideology – but it’s changing!

Answer 8

• Women athletes often fear being tagged as ungrateful, “man-haters,” “feminist”, or “arrogant” – evidence of backlash
• Corporation-driven “celebrity-feminism” focuses on individualism, attractiveness, and consumption. Not everyday struggles related to gender – safe access, participation, resources, inclusion
• “Empowerment discourses” in sports are tied to individual heterosexual attractiveness – self image and self esteem. Rather than cultural changes at institutional levels
• Women athletes have previously little control or political voice in sports (even their own!) or society at large

Question 9

Identify the major reasons why there have been dramatic increases in sport participation rates among women of all ages over the past 3 decades

Answer 9

1. New opportunities
2. Government equal rights legislation
3. Global women’s rights movement
4. Expanding health & fitness movement
5. Increased media coverage of women’s sports – and the impact of “new media”

Question 10

Explain why gender equity is an important issue for men as well

Answer 10

• creating options for men to play sports not based exclusively on a power and performance model – major relevance in sports, work, military etc.
• Equity emphasises also examining locker room/sport discourse (conversations!)
• Blur the rigid division between masculine and feminine – inclusive, express emotion, show compassion, care about relationships

Question 11

Discuss the statement “Sports celebrate traditional ideas about gender and gender relations“ with reference to gender stereotypes and key issues within sports and the media that was discussed