WOMEN'S SPORTS

Evaluation of women's sports in Contemporary society

Evaluation of women's sports in Contemporary society

Introduction

The history of humanity is defined by the continuous struggle between gender defined relations and sexual politics (Millett, 1969, pg, 78). This form of power struggle gave rise to patriarchal society which made Men the epic center of collective human activities, and provide women a subordinate role secondary to its male counterpart. Although women are the ones who have child bearing capability which secures societal interest in terms of saving them from ultimate extinction, the men however, always strived to turn the table around in his favor by controlling the opposite sex through domestication and societal restrictions (Millett, 1969, pg 76-77).

Since the inception of human consciousness, such portrayal of gender difference is prevalent in the societies globally. However, the emergence of renaissance age based on rationalism and individualism pinpointed such discrepancy among sexes and resulted in the emergence of a new form of thinking that promoted freedom of speech and gender equality. Women in modern society have more freedom to express themselves as compare to their ancestors in history, where patriarchal traditions restricted societal progress toward gender based equality (Millett, 1969, pg 76-77).

One of the most significant ways to evaluate gender equality in western society is by comparing the historical role of women with modern day feminism by studying latter's role in sports. As quoted in the Review of Sexual Orientation in Sport “Nowhere are such challenges as starkly evident as they are in sport, which is historically laden with fixed gender expectations and which is deeply segregated on grounds of sex” (Brackenridge et al, 2008, pg 46-58).

A lot of things have changed since renaissance. Because of individualism and rationalism which pave the way for freedom of speech, our society has started to accept the participation of women in sports. One of the main reasons which restricted women from taking part in sports was based on baseless stereotyping. For instance,” In 1896, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics stated: “No matter how toughened a sportswoman may be, her organism is not cut out to sustain certain shocks.” (Brackenridge et al, 2008, pg 46-58)

This essay is an attempt to explore the perception of contemporary society regarding women's sports, to discuss the reasons of its sudden popularity, including the problems they faced from their male counterparts, and its comparison with feministic sports in modern day society. This research paper will explore and identity the reason s which resulted in the emancipation of women by playing sports and how it provided them a platform to raise their voices and strive for gender equality in contemporary society.

Literature Review

Women for a long time were considered secondary to man in all the sphere of life. Their identity and individual role was fixed and monitored strictly by the men made rigid norms in society. After the renaissance things were started to change for women, but the socio-economic outlook for the latter remained the same and their individuality was defined in ...