Double Standards In Sports

It seems that we just can’t escape the gender roles and expectations placed on us by society. I guess the gender roles and expectations that exist in our everyday lives just aren’t enough, they have to exist in sports as well. A sport is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team compete against another or others. By that definition it would seem that believing sports differ significantly for males and females would be sort of a hard thing to assume. I mean after analyzing that definition, it seems to me that a male or female is capable of executing or being involved in any sport. Right? Well according to the ways of our American society there are still dos and don’ts for males and females partaking in sports.

Take conduct for example. Females “misbehaving” in a sport often makes headlines. After losing or making a mistake in a sport they are not socially expected to show their anger or disappointment through physical (unless they are crying, then its okay) or unladylike means. Take Serena Williams for example (check out the link below). There have been many instances where she was in news articles and on television for yelling at referees or saying something rude during a match. Her behavior is looked at as unladylike and a display of poor sportsmanship. Now take Kobe Bryant for example: A popular basketball player, who like many other male athletes, often yells obscenities at referees and other athletes. When this happens the male athlete is simply deemed “angry” and displaying his frustrated emotions. But a female exhibiting the same behavior is in the wrong? Double standard? I think so.

http://www.newsy.com/videos/unsportsmanlike-behavior-or-just-unladylike/

There are also various stereotypes attached to certain sports as well. For example men play football and basketball while women figure-skate or cheerlead. If a sex is found participating in a sport that is not of that individual’s sex “typical sport,” then they are often presumed to be gay. As if a girl can’t enjoy participating in a football game and pursue to be apart of a football team unless she is attracted to females. Or a guy must be gay if he is an extraordinary gymnast or figure skater. (These stereotypical generalizations sound even more ignorant as I re-read this text. How could anyone rationally believe them?) It seems as though that the overall appearance of the sport has a lot to do with whether it is a “male” or “female” sport. If the sport is graceful, has low to no contact, or even produces or maintains a feminine-like figure like ballet, tennis, or figure skating then it is a “female sport.” If the sport is full contact, tough, or down-and-dirty like football then the sport is considered a “male sport.” The descriptions of the sports coincide with what society expects of men and women overall. Women should be dainty while men should be rugged; therefore, it makes sense that heterosexual women play “dainty” sports and heterosexual men play “rugged” sports. It’s only natural. . .Yeah right.

Why do you think these social norms exist in sports? Is there a way for them to become extinct in todays society? Why is it okay for a man to publically and outwardly display his frustrated emotions but not socially accepted for a female to do so? Why are sports so gendered?