Discrimination Of Women In Sports Essay

Although women are ‘known’ for being feminine and soft, yet they can be good at sports. Nowadays in the 20th century, female discrimination continues to spread through the American society. Females in the US continue to be viewed as the "weaker sex", and inescapably this mentality continues to impact women in the American society. Discrimination of women in sports has increased over the years causing several effects on them; developing numerous psychological problems, developing health problems, and changing their physical appearance. But is it true that women can’t play rough, masculine sports just because of their gender? One of the effects that sports have on women is that it effects how they look and act. Since rough and manly sports such as weight lifting, it requires a strong and masculine physique. Therefore, women will want to overpower men in strength sports just to prove themselves. Thus, they will become addicted to exercising to develop a muscular body. But that won’t be enough to result in bulky and huge muscles, subsequently they will start taking steroids to help them appear bulky and …show more content…
These myths claim that women have frail physiques, and weak minds. As well as creating a masculine identity for them in which they will be judged harshly, and they are too kind and apologetic to contribute in sports that include violence. O'reilly and Cahn concluded that all of these myths have greatly impacted women athletes for many decades and are a contributing factor to the gender inequality. Moreover, since these myths are affecting women psychologically, it made them participate in many rough sports such as: boxing, weightlifting and football. But when they became bulky and masculine “the media uses terms like 'dike' or 'butch' to describe these women.” (Cahn & O'Reilly, 2007). Resulting in the collapse of a woman's confidence as well as their mental