For plenty of years the women nature has been looked upon as homemakers, hairdressers, wives and mothers. As women step out into the world to pursue dreams, careers, and aspirations, many have come across the issues of playing on male teams. With the decline of women sports in high school, college and the Olympics, women are starting to train their self to play with the men causing this case to become more and more popular. Many women are finding spots on teams that are within their reach but are often dangled above their head to look but not touch because of their gender.
Sports are an important part of the culture of almost every nation. However, its use to promote gender equality and to help empower girls and women are often overlooked because sports are not universally perceived as a suitable or desirable pursuit for girls and women. Today society’s definition of masculinity and femininity, or socially accepted ways of expressing what it means to be a man or woman, play a key role in determining access, levels of participation, and benefits from sports.Since 1972, Title IX, which states no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, been in effect, some schools choose to follow and some still find it hard to accept. But thanks to our society, we have put labels onto what a male should play.
For example, males should enjoy rough, rowdy types of environments, synchronized swimming and ballet are something they should not be a part of. Therefore, those are something girls would enjoy.Although Jenelle Greer, from Lehigh Valley Live, is a female, she agrees with the fact that females should not mix with male teams because “plain and simple, females are the weaker vessels of the two sexes. It's not degrading.
It's not an insult. It's a fact of life. ” (Greer, 5). In 2011, according to Lehigh Valley Live, Cassy Herkelman became the first girl to post a win in Iowa's state wrestling tournament when her opponent Joel Northup forfeited because of his faith.
Greer found no problem with Northup’s forfeit saying, “He should have never been put in the situation in the first place. I know I m probably in the minority and will probably make some enemies with my fellow females, but I firmly believe that males and females should not be competing on the same athletic teams. ” (Greer, 2). Most people who agree with Greer think that females would not be up for the challenge of playing with males, and that along with Greer, females are the weaker of the two sexes.
Nisha Wilde believes that women should be able to play on male teams but only in sports that require skill more than physical ability like swimming, golf, track, and tennis because “when women and men play together, men find themselves at a distinct disadvantage.Men have been raised to treat women with respect and kindness. ”, and because “I have heard countless horror stories of sexist treatment of women who play male sports. ”(Wilde, 4). Those who agree with people like Nisha Wilde and Janelle Greer, find it frustrating when females think they can do just as well as males while competing in sports not because they do not think the females can do it but because of size, the way that males handle situations in sports, and because females are often seen as fragile and less aggressive as males.On the other hand, after being denied several times on schools letting his daughter play on the school’s baseball team, Gary Sementelli said that he “would go to any length to find a high school willing to give my daughter a chance.
” (Hyman, 4). Just like any parent wanting the best for their children, Gary thought his daughter deserved more in the game of baseball, finally finding a school that welcomed Sementelli’s daughter with open arms onto their baseball team.Some would wonder why Sementelli’s daughter, Marti, just could not play softball, the bat and ball offered sport most girls play that is played on a smaller field. Instead, Marti described playing softball instead of baseball is “like saying ping-pong and tennis are the same sport. ” (Hyman, 12).
The people who accept and cheer for the females playing on male teams find that females are just as competitive as the males, and no matter the size, if a female believes she can do it then she can do it! There is a sense of accomplishment, pride, and happiness when a female is welcomed onto a male eam.And there is nothing like showing the people who told you it was impossible that they were wrong. Still this issue is like a big game of tug-o-war. As many females step up and take positions on male-oriented teams, people are either disgusted in a female wanting to play with the males or people cheer with happiness for taking a big step. Maybe in time, something with bring an understanding as to why females should or should not be allowed, but for now, we will all stick to our own prideful thoughts.
