Pfister also points out how the institution of the medical community also helped reinforce female participation in sports as too strenuous or grueling for women based on a primarily male assessment of female ability and biology. Such institutions help reinforce the notion that women are somehow less capable or less qualified to participate in sport than males solely on the basis of biology and physiology. Such notions become ingrained in culture and end up limiting opportunities for women who might be able to shatter such unfounded notions. Pfister points out this phenomenon when she explains how the medical communityÆs influence shaped peopleÆs attitudes about women participating in sports, ôEspecially difficult to shake off was the idea that prolonged exertion might be harmful to the health of girls and womenö (12).2) If economics, the status quo, legislation and the media determine the perceptions of women in sports and if women in sports must work within the framework of male models of sport, how can women achieve a voice that will enable them to change the status quo and create their own model of sport participation and involvement? One can see that these articles add to a greater understanding of female participation in sports and its impact on both males and females. However, it also clearly exposes the connection between economics, legislation, the media, and the power of the status quo in forming mainstream values and attitudes. So, too, such elements influence the psyche of women who participate in sports as much as they underlie the perception of different roles for women and men. Only when such influences work to promote a true level playing field in sports will female participation actually increase self-control and enable a fulfilling personal and professional life for women. Chandler, J. The Media, pp. 711-717. The two discussion questions I would like to pose are as follows: If athletic budgets do not increase and schools want to ma |
