1. Gender and Sport

2. What Prevented Women From Participating in Physical Activity in the Past?

3. 1. Lack of rights
Women were not allowed to vote, get education, make own decisions, etc.
This prevented them from making decisions with respect to their participation in physical activity
1948 Olympics – 400m relay

4. 2. Emphasis on reproduction
Women were described almost exclusively by their biology as reproducing organisms
Physical exertion was thought to destroy a woman’s potential to have children

5. 3. Societal expectations
Women were expected to act “lady-like”
Female athletes were negatively labelled because they did not act in accordance with these norms
Many sports were discouraged because they prevented women from acting “lady-like”
e.g., bicycling
Female athletes were expected to emphasize their femininity
e.g., by wearing feminine clothes, which impaired performance

6. Access to Sport for Women
Single most important change in the world of sport over the past generation was – INCREASED PARTICIPATION OF FEMALES
Women can now freely participate in sports that were not available to them a few decades ago

7. What Led to the Increased Participation of Females in Sport?

8. 1. New Opportunities
Development of new teams and programs since the late 1970’s is linked with increased participation
Unfortunately, women still don’t receive an equal share of opportunities in today’s society - e.g.?
These new opportunities have resulted from political changes

9. Political Pressure and Equal Rights Legislation
In early 1980’s in Canada, pressure from women’s groups led to the investigation of sport opportunities
Findings from 1984 study:
64% of inter-collegiate athletes were males
Findings from 1987 study:
64% of inter-collegiate athletes were still males
Today
More females enjoy equal access in university sports
Women’s sports are not usually promoted as mass sports
Male athletes still enjoy greater financial rewards than female athletes

10. 3. The Global Women’s Rights Movement
Over the past 30 years:
Emphasized that females excel as human beings when they are given the opportunity to develop their physical abilities
Played role in redefining occupational and family roles for women
In 1996, U.N.’s Fourth World Conference on Women called for:
Increased efforts to provide sports opportunities
New efforts to promote education, health, and human rights for females all over the world

11. 4. The Expanding Health and Fitness Movement
Since the mid-1970’s health research highlighted the many benefits of regular participation in physical activity for females
Today, well-toned muscles and CV fitness are no longer seen as desirable only in the male population
Some traditional standards still remain in terms of clothing fashion and marketing strategies
Examples?

12. 5. Increased Media Coverage of Women In Sport
Today, there are increased opportunities for girls and women to follow female athletes in media
This provides them with role models and encourages them to be active athletes themselves
Unfortunately, women’s sports are still not covered as often or with the same detail as men’s sports
Examples?

13. In Summary The preceding factors have: In today’s society,
Collectively fostered increased interest in sport participation for females
Emphasized that gender equity in sports is an important goal
In today’s society,
Gender equity is far from being achieved
Example?
But the movement is underway and there is no turning back

14. Racism in Sport

15. The Black Athlete – View of the Past
Only white athletes were allowed to play on major league baseball teams
Black athletes played in Negro Leagues
Jackie Robinson – first black baseball player to play in the major leagues

16. The Black Athlete - Progress
Progress has been made leading to a significant increase in black athlete representation
However, the majority of people in power (e.g., team owners) are white, so the possibility of unequal access still exists

17. Disabilities and Sport
Traditionally people with disabilities have been segregated in our society and sports
Determination shown by Terry Fox, Rick Hansen, and others has led to highlighted attention of achievements of disabled athletes
Changes that allowed disabled individuals to become less segregated members of our society:
Crippled, handicapped, retarded  disabled
More sporting events are being offered
Bill C-62
More ramps and accessibility
Others?

18. Gay Athletes
Professional sport is highly male, heterosexual, and homophobic
“Coming out” in a sporting environment puts individual’s social status, family and fan affection, and even success at risk
Dave Kopay (1976) - First North American athlete to “come out”
Martina Navratilova
Greg Louganis

19. Gay Games
Formed in 1982
Since then their popularity has increased tremendously
People of all sexual orientations are welcomed
Key philosophy: PARTICIPATION, SUPPORT, INCLUSIVENESS AND ENJOYMENT
This philosophy is opposite to conventional international competitions, which stress exclusion and ranking

20. Older Adults in Sport Older adults were discouraged
from participating in sport due to:
Developmental theory
Old Medical practice
Today, physical activity is viewed as part of an overall healthy lifestyle in persons of all ages
Organized sports are being established to meet the needs of older adults
Allow a great deal of social interactions
Do not involve intimidation, use of physical force, or high-risk activities

21. Physical Activity and Sport Trends

22. Heath and Fitness Concerns Will Continue to Increase
Greater emphasis on illness prevention vs. treatment
Physical activity will become an integral part of illness prevention
Wellness movement
Emphasis on involvement in participation sports vs. performance sports
Educational curricula
Less emphasis on performance sports
More emphasis on physical activities that involve lifetime skills

23. Groups Seeking Alternative Sports
Rejection of traditional performance sports for alternative sports
Youths will continue to form own sport in order to avoid the constraints of traditional sports
Alternative sports will embody some aspects of pleasure and participation sports

24. Spectators and Spectator Sports
More people will choose to watch vs. participate in sports
Increasing variation in the sports to watch
e.g., soccer, alternative sports, fishing channel
Increased exposure to sports from other cultures
Virtual sports