Blog Response #10 - "I Won, I'm Sorry" - Prof. Fulton's English 101 -The Rhetoric ofPopular Culuter

Blog Response #10 - "I Won, I'm Sorry"

11/4/2013

Kerri Walsh...multi-gold medalist and maybe one-half of the greatest beach volleyball team in history. But as this ad suggests, it may not enough. Locating the sex-angle for the male (and perhaps female) gaze seems of greater importance than underscoring her athletic accomplishments.

Reading: “I Won. I'm Sorry” by Mariah Burton Nelson (SOL – 569 - 575)

POST CUT-OFF: NOON 11/10/2013

1. Some sports are seen as gendered-female, meaning they are coded for women or girl athletes more than for males. What are some of these sports and why do you think they are considered “women’s sports?” What sports could plausibly become sports “acceptable” for women to participate in?

2. Discuss the connection between sexuality and women’s athletics in reference to Nelson’s comments about it on page 572. For further reference, you may want to check out this website of images for “sexy female athletes” Danica Patrick, Maria Sharapova, Jenny Finch, and Gina Carano.

3. Implicit in these discussion is the argument that sexualizing and objectifying female (and, in some cases, male) athletes for predominately male fantasies is wrong, degrading of women, misogynistic, and patronizing. But are there other ways of looking at this issue which we haven’t considered? Is it so bad? Should we just all “lighten up?” Or is there something more serious going on?

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS COMBAT SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS. IT IS A VIOLENT SPORT.

Stefanie Jadidi

11/6/2013 02:00:01 am

The most televised sport is figure skating. Who wouldn't want to watch women all dolled up glide gracefully on a pair of blades? "Figure skating allows women to compete like champions while dressed like cheerleaders" (574). Along with figure skating, tennis and gymnastics are also sports that are typically gendered-female. The upper white classes accept these sports as a feminine spectacle. These athletes perform in makeup and fancy duds, but they can surely kick your butt outside of the arena. Basketball is the most popular sport amongst college women, which I think is great.It's such a high impact sport. Women's boxing has also become more acceptable in today's sports. Women are viewed as equals in the ring. No need for fancy attire or makeup, they simply kick ass and train just as hard as any male boxer. They can definitely hold their own in the ring. If anyone has anything negative to say about it, I'm sure they will happily prove it to you and punch that smirk right off your face.
Professional female athletes like Jackie Joyner Kersee and Lisa Leslie uphold a strong sense of femininity in ads by showing off their hard bodies. They don't lose sight of being powerful but beautiful at the same time and have worked hard for the way they look. These athletes prove that you can have it all. "Some may think this is good news: proof that femininity and sports are compatible" (572). But one the other end of the spectrum is the negative views one might have on the connection between sexuality and women's athletics. Some athletes like Danika Patrick gain more widespread media coverage, because let's face it, she's gorgeous. But are viewers more into her looks than her actual athletic talent? Shouldn't fans be fawning over for women's athletic prowess too? We should be seeing more female athletic ads like the ones Serena Williams does for Nike where it makes you want to smash a ball across a net and kick ass. It seems a bit more empowering.
I believe women athletes will always be viewed in a feminine fashion, which is not entirely bad. Females in sports today have come a long way. They are proving to viewers and to males that they are just ash powerful and train just as hard. There is no harm if a female athlete bats her eyelashes at a male opponent and still says "sorry boys I won!" As long as female athletes are not objectified in a degrading way, I think people should lighten up. If a female athlete wants to pose in Swimsuit Illustrated, I say go for it. Yes, it is for the male's viewing pleasure. But she worked hard for that body and she's still a woman. She is not forced to do it. As long as the female athlete still feels good about herself, there is no harm in my eyes.

Jose Gomez

11/7/2013 09:30:16 pm

The main sports that are gendered-female like cheerleading, ice skating, and gymnastics those are the ones that I can think of. Seeing a guy performed these sports make him seem feminine, I mean that is what our society says. Although like mention in Mariah Burton Nelson's article, these sports require a lot of strength training that men do not actually see. Also require weight lifting so women's bodies can withstand the routines and rigorous movements their bodies are put in. All these sports involve grace and elegance that is best shown by women, men are engaged in those sports as well but at many times because of our gender roles are ridicule as feminine by their peers (men). Perhaps golf could be one sport that both can compete against each other, maybe even racing it is a male sport but there is no advantage for either, because it just requires skills but no strength. Because of our gender roles, I do not think that women will ever be fully accepted in the racing world, competing with men with very minimal exceptions.
To most female athletes it is important to look feminine, because their physical appearance ca not be hidden. Also by dressing feminine they are showing that they are ladylike and pretty at the same time. I think that in recent times the most recognized athlete competing against men is Danica Patrick, she is a tough competitor but she is also pretty at the same time. Since women are less dependent of men, in our culture today it is ok for them to show toughness but to a certain degree, because before anything else they are still women. Gina Carano is probably one of the toughest girls out there being an MMA fighter you have to be, but she is also very attractive. My opinion on the matter is that no matter what, men have to find women attractive and I doubt women want a weak man so it works the same for either sex.
The problem is and will always be our gender roles, women are suppose to be women and men are suppose to be men. I think that since times are changing, society will also change the way women are looked at in men sports. Women are used as sex symbols to sell products, and media won't stop that trend since sex sells and to a certain degree it works visa versa. Acceptance over time will happen, but what I do not see happening is women competing in men team sports with men. Degrading of women should not happen at any level, women should be allowed to practice any sport of their liking. I think the problem is that men find it hard to accept that some women can be stronger than men and that is the problem. That because the masculine nature, says that men are suppose to be stronger than females.

Nina Keen link

11/8/2013 04:50:19 am

1. Some of these sports that are gendered-female, or “women’s sports” are gymnastics, cheerleading, figure skating, and beach volleyball. I think they are considered women’s sports because of the way they are executed (gracefully, without real competition from men – men’s gymnastics, for example, goes by a different set of rules for scoring and include different apparatus). Another factor that makes a sport considered for women is what the women wear. For example, in beach volleyball, the outfits reveal a lot of skin and it is played on the beach – reminiscent of girls and women in bikinis. Whether there is room for real competition from men, what the outfits look like, and how the sport is executed are all factors that decide which sports are okay for girls and women to play.
Sports that could become “acceptable” for women are soccer and running. Female soccer participants play against other women and wear knee-high socks – there is room for male fantasy. Also, the game does not focus on brute force, like wrestling does for example. Running would perpetuate the ideal of thinness, fragility, for women and, thus, I think could become acceptable and considered appropriate for women.

2. The reason women’s sexuality comes to the forefront of women’s athletics, whereas with men’s, it does not usually make an appearance is because, it contributes to making a women appear more vulnerable or unintimidating to a man. Men can feel they have sexual power over women because they can objectify or fantasize about them while they are performing physical feats of great power on the television screen. Though they are presenting their physical superiority over most men, they are also being toned down, decorated as objects – this allows men to still feel in control. Nelson writes, “In a Sears commercial, Olympic basketball players….pose and dance in their underwear” (572). The women cater to the male fantasy and, thus, allow men to feel safely unthreatened – like they are the final victors, if you will.

3. Sexualizing and objectifying female athletes shows that men still want to control women, or at least, maintain the illusion that they have power over them. If male viewers are less strong than a woman, something American society tells them is unacceptable, at least they still can think they hold “sexual power” (they can degrade them verbally or fantasize them in their own homes, and feel they are encouraged to do so based on these depictions of women men are so hungrily fed by the media) over these women.
However, there could be room for growth in this type of illusion. The fact that women are able to compete is a huge victory in and of itself. Though they must cater to male fantasies while they compete, if they play along with this idea and their physical feats take the world by surprise, there is a lot of power in that. Women athletes could make their way to the top of the athletic world silently and, once they are there, could change the game in whatever way they want to. As a skier Nelson interviewed said, “…It’s so fun leaving 99 percent of the world’s guys in the dust…If…I kick guys’ butts then act ‘like a girl’ there is no problem” (570). Though this is obviously, relinquishing something towards men – it is only the illusion of power, not actual power. If men only feel unthreatened while actually being threatened, women have a very high probability of taking the world by surprise.

Gladys Pereira

11/10/2013 02:26:19 am

The most popular sport for women and girls would be bsaketball. But the most televised women's sport is figured skating.In women's figure skating, smiling is part of "artstic expression." Like golf, tennis, and gymnastics, figure skating is an individual sport favorited white people from the upper classes.

They put the athletics women as a sex symbol. In advertisment the women are all gorgeous to actract the consumers attention. So that the male side would see that they are not only good at men sports but they are wonderful and gorgeous women that any man could fall in love with. Because women think that by being better than man at a sport they feel that they won't be attactive to a man they would just look at them like another man.

I think is good that women are taking over what they want to be if they want to be models, actress or athletes it who they really are. Even if they are way better than man a sport it should not be dicrimation that man can do everything better than women because thats wrong. Both women and man can share the same passion on a sport and be better at it then the other. Women athelets for them to not lose their sex appeal they come out in advertisments, comericals etc gorgeous so that the world could see that they are not only good at sports but also are wonderful and gorgeous woman.

Kristina Valerio link

11/10/2013 02:40:06 am

In the essay “I Won, I’m Sorry,” author Maria Burton Nelson argues that being competitive and femininity doesn’t go well. If women are to pursue a career in sports, they can still attain victory, but must not intimidate their male competitors. Being a female athlete means that one must be ready to accommodate men by appearing to be flirtatious and vulnerable.

A typical sporting event associated with being feminine is figure skating. One can win the competition without inflicting physical contact to their opponents. Grace, beauty and elegance are part of the criteria in winning this sporting event. Gymnastics is also considered a female sport, where “artistic expression” weighs more than technique. Women who try to pursue a sporting career in brutal events such as boxing, MMA or basketball are often referred to as a man-hater, a lesbian or a bitch.

In my opinion, it seems that the opinions presented about the topic of women excelling in a male-dominated sport is a bit twisted in a way. Feminists may argue that it is degrading to women, but these groups are implying that being “girly” or feminine is something bad or negative. I personally think that being feminine is something that should be enjoyed, and it is much better if a female is excelling in a field where it is dominated by male. It adds to that sports metaphor by inspiring girls/ladies who are non-fans to excel in anything they achieve. It also adds to sports dynamics the same way as drama, controversy and the action itself that makes it more interesting to watch.

Using sexy female athletes as the “muse” of the sport is all a marketing tactic from the team’s manager or the organizers of the event. They hope to draw in a lot of people from sporting events to make a profit and encourage more sponsors using the charm and sex appeal of female athletes. Advertising female athletes to be flirty and vulnerable appeals not just to enthusiasts but to the non-fans as well to watch their career by going to their games and buying their brands.

fatima Fuentes

11/10/2013 02:54:23 am

Almost every sport in the world today are being played by women. From ice skating to Muai Thai kick boxing, females are welcome to participate. Although women can play every sport there is, there are still some sports that are “gendered-female”, or categorized as sports that are dominantly played by females. I can only think of a few sport that are truly gendered female. Such sports included figure skating, gymnastics, cheerleading, synchronized swimming, and maybe even scrabble. According to a professional basketball player and author of “I Won, I’m Sorry”, Mariah Burton Nelson, “like men, you will have to be smart and industrious, but in addition you’ll have to be “like-women”: kind, nurturing, accommodating, nonthreatening, placating, pretty and small”. I think every sport can be played by women, but women playing these sports should be feminists and lady-like in order to please the audiences and to win the game.
In the discussion, females as athletes are easily being discriminated if the audience’s expectations aren’t met. For example, in the article that Nelson wrote, she stated that “Americans fell out of love with Kerrigan not because they could not adore an athlete who lacked grace in defeat, but they couldn’t adore a female athlete who lacked grace in defeat”. This refers to Nancy Kerrigan, a triumphant, gold medalist figure skater. There was time that she did not perform well during a competition, and announced to the media her grief upon losing. But after that incident, she mustered her confidence and determination, and went back to compete. She landed two big wins at major international competitions. Kerrigan’s story shows how popular culture and society values feminism, and that every women athlete should behave according to how females should, not fierce and unapologetic, but lady-like, nonthreatening and a minority to men.

Fatima Fuentes

11/10/2013 02:54:41 am

Araceli Toledo link

11/10/2013 03:12:11 am

Some of the sports that are seen for female athletes are downhill ski, tennis, volleyball, basketball, softball, figure skating, gymnasts, aerobic dancers, etc. I think these sports are considered “women sports” because it’s not touch nor aggressive. In other people eyes, the sports the women athletes play isn’t as tough on what the men athlete play, but if you see it right women play as tough as the men play in mostly the same sport. The women do competitive, down and dirty, they can bench press 150 pounds, and be as aggressive too.

There is a connection between sexuality and women’s athletes as Nelson points it out that they can also can be women. “…female athletes still express apologetic behavior through feminine dress, behavior, and values.”(Nelson, 572) She’s explaining that after the women whoops butt in any competition, especially when the men are involved, they use their femininity looks to “apologizes”. It shows that they are still women outside the court. No men would be upset after getting a glimpse of a gorgeous athlete. Like for example: In a Sears commercial, the basketball players apply lipstick, paint their nails, pose and dance in their underwear while jumping in the bed. The women basketball players can be tough, challengeable and aggressive but the commercial reflects that are also a feminine women in the outside and they can be girly. Another example: In a Avon commercial, Jackie Joyner Kersee runs on the beach and the camera zooms in her buttocks and breast. But she says, she can bench-press 150 pounds and can jump farther than “all but 128 men.” But the feminine side is that she does have her toenails painted. Another commercial show that the women athlete has physical appearance men is attractive too, as buttocks and breasts. Athletes can be both strong and sexy. When you search “sexy female athletes” you’ll find the sexiest capture and in their littlest suit doing stunts. This make you realize they are strong as the men can be and also doing it sexy.

I think they are other ways of looking at that issue because the men are objectifying the women because they can wear the smallest outfit while playing and be sexy. But they need to let it go. They can be feminine and strong because they want to make a point that they are tough and they can get down and dirty while wearing a skirt. We should just lighten up and let them compete.

Tirsa Cueva

11/10/2013 03:20:27 am

1. Cheerleading, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, and track and field in my opinion would be considered “women’s sports”. Beginning with cheerleading, while some may believe it isn’t considered in reality it is. This sport is dominated by women, one of the main reasons to why this would be considered a women’s sport because of the uniform used in this sport. Another sport that is considered to be a women’s sport would probably be gymnastics, this is one of the few sports in which the women/ girls wear makeup, and style their hair. Their uniform represents what being feminine is all about. The similarities in all these, is the way the uniforms were design, they give these sports a feminine feel to what is in reality suppose to be a field to men. Baseball could possibly be a sport in which could become acceptable for women to participate, softball is a sport that some may say is tougher than baseball, therefore why wouldn’t baseball become acceptable for women.
2. According to Nelson’s comments about the connection between sexuality
and women’s athletics, women cannot be taken seriously in the athletic field. In order for women to be recognize they would have to show some sort of sexuality. And even then, women aren’t being recognized for their accomplishments in their expertise of sport. Many women have been on the cover of Sports Illustrator, many of who are athletes, yet aren’t seen as athletes but more as a sex symbol. One of the reasons for that is the uniforms they wear, for example beach volleyball players basically wear nothing other than a bathing suit. For most of the part they’re always revealing skin and that goes on with other female athletes. No matter what, women aren’t never really going to been seen for what they’ve accomplished but for the sexuality they portrayed on adds, commercial and photo shoots, and in the sport they participate in.

3. In a way I considered for this issue to be bad, we live in the 21st century and yet women cannot be taken seriously. They always have proof their feminine side, regardless of how good they can be in their field of sports they will always have to do something in order to get the attention of some. As a society we shouldn’t care how a women looks when she’s playing a sport. We should be paying attention on how she’s playing the game, and what makes her be where she is. Although the feminist movement was years ago, we should stop being the society we were back then. There’s a norm in which men are always the ones at the top, doesn’t matter what they do or look like but all that matters is that their good at their game. Therefore, women should be seen just as equally as men are seen.

Monica chilel

11/10/2013 03:35:22 am

Volleyball is a women sport and any sport a man can do a women can do also. Women have gotten into boxing, And MMA, if they are doing good in these sports they can do good in any sport. Ronda Rousey, an MMA fighter breaks arms and she is a women. Women are capable of killing, beating, and dedication like men. Sex does not change the capabilities of athletes be it women or men. Strength and strategy changes a sport. Men have tried making sports unappealing to women by associating lesbianism with masculine sports. A tomboy as a child is cute but if that girl keeps growing up into an adult with love of masculine sports, men judge her as a lesbian or simply unattractive as a female. But times are changing women like Rousey are the attractive women. They are fierce and strong that can hold their own. Men and women are starting to see women sports more seriously because of the gore and dedication we see them put into it. It is not about sexuality or gender it's about dedication to the sport.

Tatevik Khachatryan link

11/10/2013 03:52:26 am

In my opinion there aren’t really any sports that are only for woman. Woman might be better at some sports then man but they do not have a specific sport that men can’t participate. For example everyone assumes that cheerleading is for girls but there are also guys who join. I can’t really think of any specific sport that would only be made for woman. In the article, Nelson describes the connection between sexuality and woman’s athletics. Everyone wants to look pretty and handsome, whether one self is a man or a female. I think that just because one self is a female athlete who is always training and playing sports that some people think are not lady like, does not mean that the person does not want to look like a lady. Regardless of what sports a female is in they still want to look pretty and still take good care of them self’s as a woman. Females would want to look sexy whether they are boxers or body builders. In my opinion some do it for fame and status and some just want to look sexy like any other non-athlete woman. For example, even male athletes are the same way. Cristiano Ronaldo is a very good looking man who is a professional soccer player. He gets all the fame not only because he is a great soccer player but also because he does modeling for different companies. Ronaldo puts himself out there for fame because he knows he is good looking and that his name would be out there not only for his game but also for his looks. I think that we should just lighten up and do whatever we feel that makes us happy.

Kristine Khachatryan

11/10/2013 04:01:42 am

In Mariah Burtins Nelson’s article, I Won. I’m Sorry, being a woman is more then what the American society believes it is. The Society does not differentiate men from women, but there is a huge difference. If there weren’t any difference, then we would all be one sex and gender. In sports, the society still looks at masculine sports or feminine sport, but there is not a cut off of only men can play and only women can play. That eye has been long gone. The society still accepts and understands that boxing is a manly sport and that ballet is a feminine act. Ballet and cheerleading are two examples of sports that are accepted as feminine that males are also performing.
Professional sport athletes take their job very seriously. They spend night and day practicing and exercising making sure there bodies are fit for the sport. They make their bodies look nice not only for there sport but also for modeling, these athletes have a little feminine feeling in them even though they are big and buff.I personally do not believe in male and female actions. I think that everyone is equal in every way. Yes, very one should just “lighten up” and understand that people have their own hobbies and it shouldn’t be labeled as feminine or masculine.

Edith P

11/10/2013 08:16:36 am

Tennis, figure skating, and gymnastic are considered “women’s sports.” The reason I think these sports are considered to be women’s sports is by what they have to wear. What they wear makes them look feminine. For tennis you see them wear skirts and for figure skating they get glammed up wear dresses or skirts and also makeup. The sports that can perhaps be easily acceptable I would have to say are soccer and basketball. The reason would be because those sports are already popular among females to play.

It as the sport doesn’t sell or catch people’s attentions instead having a female athlete captured in a pose which is sexy is what catches people attention. They get known from what they look like and the attention they receive. The sport and the achievements they have received are disregarded and not mentioned as they should. Portraying a feminine appearance is what is recognized. There are Female athletes that are best known for modeling than the victories achieved. Then there are also commercials made that demonstrate how feminine they are. A feminine appearance is something they are suppose to give and demonstrate but yet be also convincing about it.

In my perspective there isn’t another way of considering what is being displayed of female athlete in objectifying them and degrading them predominately for male fantasies. Advertisement is one way for example you see pictures in magazines posing in a provocative sexual way. It is bad due to the fact that female athletes are not truly looked as serious athletes by males. Male athletes feel and are given the appearance of more dominant. Instead female athletes are look as sexy and not given that full respect they deserve for the sport they play. They way they are portrayed should be changed and a really recognized them for their achievements and not let men athletes have the appearance of being better at a sport. Males have to realize that females are also capable of playing a sport better than them.

mayra Lomas

11/10/2013 07:04:06 pm

Some sports that are seen as gendered female and are coded for women are basketball, figure skating. Figure skating allows women to compete like champions while they are dress as cheerleaders. It is more like women in figure skating are allow to look more lady alike with nice revealing dresses and make up and also they have to smile .
Sensuality and dress code are enforced in some sport for example in tennis women wear small skirt and very short blouse not only that but also the posture. It is more like in modern era athletes dedicate more time to portraying a feminine appearance. Women as instinct always wants to be seen feminine more elegant and more ladyalike. But also to show that women could be athletic and strong.

aaron yim

11/13/2013 08:10:15 am

Women sports are considered volley ball or soft ball that women can get involved instead of basketball or football because women are known as a girly instead of violent and furious. Volley ball is not as aggressive as football or basketball. Although girl athletes play sports, they take a photo shoot to show that they are still women. They do not become well known for what they are good at but they become well known for what they are their appearance as. There are no other ways to look at women as a male fantasy because it is hard to imagine a woman to be good for a male sport such as basketball. No it is not bad because that is how society looks at it. There is more serious going on other than woman cannot be as a female fantasy because it is not a big thing than scandal or athletes using illegal drug.

Jeobana Gutierrez

11/20/2013 10:41:58 am

Some of the sports that are considered "women’s sports” are gymnastics, figure skating, beach volleyball, etc. I think they are considered women’s sports because of what they have to do in the sport. I also think that what makes a sport considered for women is of the outfit’s designed especially for woman. For example, most of the outfits for woman reveal a lot of skin. I think that the factors that reveal whether a sport is consider for men or woman is based on what has to be performed. For example on a sport for men, it would be more tough competition. Woman does not have the same strength as men. For instance, on weight lifting (although there are woman who practice this sport, i think it is more design for men because it requires a lot of strength. Sports that could become acceptable for women are soccer, tennis, running, swimming and others.

The reason I think women’s sexuality comes on women’s athletics more than it does in men’s’ sports. It is because it contributes to making women appear more vulnerable to a man. Men can feel they have sexual desires over women because they can objectify and fantasize about them while they are performing a certain sport and it gives a real feeling than it does on the television screen. There is a connection between sexuality and women’s athletes as Nelson points it out that they can also can be women. “…female athletes still express apologetic behavior through feminine dress, behavior, and values.”(572) She’s explaining that after women win in any competition, especially when men are involved, they use their femininity looks to “apologize”. It shows that women are still women outside the court. On the other hand men, no men would be upset after winning against their rival. They would instead cheer and make fun of the opponent.Women as instinct always wants to be seen feminine more elegant and more lady like. But also to show that women could be athletic and strong.
I think that Sexualizing and objectifying female athletes shows that men want to control women, or have the illusion that they have power over them. Most men do not tolerate the fact that woman can be strong, practice rough sports or to even look tough. Women athletes could make their way to the top of the athletic world silently and, once they are there, could change things to whatever way they want to. I think woman today are very strong and can do anything they want without losing their feminine side.

karin reyes link

11/21/2013 12:44:04 am

Some of the sports coded for girls/women are figured skating, tennis, gymnastic, Cheerleading, and volleyball. The reason why I believe these sports are coded for girls is because they get to win and still look amazing and cute in their outfits /uniforms. As it says in the SOL book, although it takes sweat, time and practice when it comes down to it, it looks easy and beautiful. As for now in days, most sports are for females and males. No one really stops girls from playing dangerous sports. It is not really about women being accepted to play in these strong dangerous sports but the way they will be viewed as. For the most part, girls are in every sport they want now.
In page 572, Nelson comments about women athletes playing the feminine game. He says that girls can be athletes but they have to prove that they are feminine and cute. For the most part Nelson’s comment are true, their sexuality and athleticism it’s pretty much mixed together but very different. Women in fields and in their sport performance have to be outstanding and dangerous but they must be feminine outside of the fields and practices and gyms. If they do not do this they might be commented as, ugly, lesbians, or bad wives as he comments. He also says that they must be sexy, as all these females that came out in ads and commercials; they all talked about being competitive “BUT” beautiful, loving and vulnerable. He used the word BUT to give a strong example about the roles these women play… they can be anything they want BUT be sexy, feminine and vulnerable.

I do believe that women should not hide how they feel, or how they have to act to be successful. Maybe we should all lighten up and let people be where they want to be and who they want to be. At the end it is their life, and everyone has the right to live it how they want to live. If a man and a woman have a baby together it should be equal, for it’s their baby, not just the mother’s baby. In my opinion I love to be a woman, as lazy as I can sound I would love to sit home and be a mom and a house wife and cook. I don’t like to work so I find this easy and joyful to do. Then again that is just me, I know more women who want their own position in life and they like to work and they have the right to do it. As for athletes if they want to be bulky and muscular than they should do it without being afraid of who is behind them judging them. I think of life as a whole, and things should be equal for everyone, men aren’t better than women, they have no right to believe so. As for now women have proven that they are just as capable of working , being athletes and have a six pack if they want to as well.

Erika Cayabyab

11/26/2013 12:21:12 am

1. Sports that are considered “gendered-female” are those that value elements such elegant, graceful movements and proper execution. Such sports are tennis, gymnastics, figure skating, swimming, and volleyball. Another parallel that all these sports share is the type of sportswear or attire they wear. With these sports, we can see that the clothing women wear flatter their body because femininity is about “appearing beautiful and vulnerable” and isn’t about being “ruthless [or] aggressive” (570). Sports that could become “acceptable” for women to participate in are running and rock climbing because these sports don’t require women to be aggressive and still are accommodating men by still giving them visual satisfaction because they aren’t covered up unlike in sports such as basketball and hockey.

2. The accepted role of a female is to basically cater to men. With sports, women can still accomplish this by giving a sexual visual of themselves through their clothing, makeup, and toned bodies. By doing this, men won’t sense any form of threat and still get a feeling of authority over women. Nelson gives the example of women in Sports Illustrated magazines. Although they participate in various sports, the magazine is about satisfying men. In it, women appear sexy and vulnerable, always circling around the idea of accommodating the male audience.

3. Although women can now participate in a wide range of sports, they still have to play without losing male approval. Since the beginning of civilization, men were responsible for doing work that require muscle and control. This old stereotype is lost to an extent when women play in aggressive sports because they give off the idea that they are not inferior to men, but rather are equal, even with a possibility of being superior. I think this is a huge problem because this just supports the stereotype, but I also think that this will never really change.

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Blog Response #10 - "I Won, I'm Sorry"

Prof. David Fulton

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