Sports are a national pastime all over the world. Whether it’s football in America or football in England, sports have the ability to unite people and form special bonds. However, because sports are typically male-dominated, women in this field are severely underrepresented. Compared to the past, efforts to include women in sports have definitely been made, but there is still a lot that hasn’t been accomplished.
Men in general have overall been characterized as more aggressive than women, so this undoubtedly biases people’s perceptions of men’s aptitude in sports compared to women. However, studies show that women in sports have displayed better acts of sportsmanship than men. This may be because of the sympathetic nature women commonly possess, which men comparatively lack. Indeed, while, in the past, women have been seen as weak and incapable, society now is starting to realize the importance of kind and gentle qualities characteristic of women that make them equally fit for participation in sports. When it comes to a career in sports, however, such qualities are still seen as inferior to those of men. While girls nowadays are not as vigorously discouraged from joining sports, boys are still more encouraged to join them. This is what needs to be changed.
Women have never been able to enjoy the same level of recognition as men in sports, but that doesn’t make their accomplishments any less great. Two examples of great women in sports are Simone Biles and Serena Williams, both of whom have been revolutionary in this topic. Simone Biles, for example, is an American gymnast, and with eleven Olympic medals, she has often been regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time. But her journey was not all sunshine and rainbows. Biles faced much discrimination due to her sex and race, but never stopped pushing forward, becoming a truly remarkable figure in sports history. Serena Williams, a former American tennis player, is also greatly remarkable. Winning 23 grand slam titles and 73 career titles, Williams is known as the greatest female tennis player of all time. However, she had to push through immense hardships such as poverty and discrimination against her sex to get to where she is today.
Actually, we have many accomplished girls in sports right here at Dublin High. Star Defaee, a junior who is a member of the girls’ flag football team, tells us in an interview her opinions on girls in sports:
“There are benefits that come with sports, such as gaining confidence, resilience, proper health, and much more. A woman should have access to the path of those opportunities just as a man.” Star’s statement reflects many of the same values other women have about their role in sports.
Recognizing the great accomplishments of not only men but women in sports can further encourage girls who are interested in this field. Women have many more opportunities in sports than they did 40 years ago, which is truly remarkable, but there is much more to do in order to make sure women are given every chance a man would to succeed in sports. Our girls here at Dublin have just as much potential as the boys, and it’s essential that they have the same level of opportunity to make their appearance in sports, regardless of their gender.
https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/advocacy/benefits-sports-participation-girls-women/
https://olympics.com/en/athletes/simone-biles
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/serena-williams
