Topics: Athletics, Social Issues Words: 275Pages: 1
In athletics, gender inequality and racial discrimination are two main social issues that affect females. One of the most vivid examples is the lower payment that is provided to female athletes in comparison to their male counterparts. Namely, $35-40 million is paid to the male winners of the FIFA World Cup, while only about $2-3 million is given to the winners of the Women’s FIFA World Cup (Woods, 2016). Many female athletes are judged and objectified according to the way they dress, which is not characteristic of male sportsmen. Women also receive less support and recognition for their professional achievements. The level of sexism can be different, but some makes argue that women should wear more “feminine” clothes while playing football (Woods, 2016). Previously, the area of sport was dominated by males, and even though women demand their social rights, the situation remains critical.
Racial discrimination is another social issue that is faced by African-American females, for example. These athletes face prejudice, criticism, and a lack of support, which require significant efforts to remain in the sport and succeed. Such a hostile environment also brings negative consequences, including but not limited to professional burnout and depression (Woods, 2016). Sexism is especially strong regarding African-American female athletes, who are expected to wear tight pants and have long hair. This tendency forces them to constantly think about their femininity, which is an evident sign of gender inequality. Accordingly, these stigmatized women try to find communities that would understand their challenges and help. Today, institutions and global organizations are created to achieve social equality in athletics, which is essential to allow sportswomen to train and compete without prejudices.
Reference
Woods, R. (2016). Social issues in sport. 3rd ed. Human Kinetics.
