Here's an article on women's pro football. The wikipedia entry updates us to show several other leagues which have emerged (see the links at the bottom.)
For Discussion: Beyond asking whether blood-sports are acceptable, please consider and discuss how gender issues surface within these sports. Is it important to you that there be gender-equity in sports?
For Discussion: Beyond asking whether blood-sports are acceptable, please consider and discuss how gender issues surface within these sports. Is it important to you that there be gender-equity in sports?
posted by Anthony at
12:56 PM
7 Comments:
Blood-sports are acceptable as long as there is a strict set of rules to be followed that prevent players from getting severely injured or even killed. Gender issues surface within these types of sports because women are usually thought of as the sex meant to nurture and men are thought of as the sex that are meant to fight. Before class and reading this article, I did not know that there was a professional women's football league. Whenever someone talks about "the high school football player," most people always picture a tall, strong boy. Whenever someone talks about "the high school cheerleader," most people always picture a pretty girl. It is never vice-versa. It is not important to me that there is gender-equity in sports. I personally would never want to go out and be a UFC fighter, nor do I know of many girls that would. If a girl did want to do that though, I would most definitely respect that and think very highly of them. I believe that men and women are equal in many ways and there should be gender-equity in many things that there isn't, but gender-equity in sports does not affect me and most likely never will.
By
rachelzomerfeld, at Fri Oct 16, 12:13:00 PM 2009
Gender issues surface within blood sports because at one time it was generally not acceptable to watch females play with the men. There are very few sports where I can tolerate watching a female version of the game. However, this is not because women are playing the sport, but rather because the rules for women are different than they are for men. For example, in women’s ice hockey, bodychecking is not allowed. Believe it or not, bodychecking has a huge impact on the style of the game. In men’s hockey, bodychecking ensures the honesty of the other team and allows for a fair shot at the puck. When the puck is dumped into the corner, the male rules allow for the forward to be bumped off the puck (as long as it is not interference), while the female rules only allow for a poke check. Therefore, in the women’s game, it is much harder to separate the forward from the puck. Overall, watching women’s hockey is a lot like watching men in the NHL play at the all-star game. At this game, not much bodychecking occurs because all the players know that no injury should result from the all-star game. It is meant to be a display of skill, not physicality. Essentially, this game is exciting to watch only because of the amazing skill of the players. It is an entirely different game from real hockey, and the style of play can only be tolerated for one game, not an entire season.
However, in sports where the rules are basically the same for both men and women, it is much easier to watch the play of both genders. For example, when watching soccer, I find both the men and women games to be exciting. Perhaps if more of the blood sports changed the rules to allow for similar play between men and women, it would be more exciting to watch. Unfortunately, this raises the question of whether or not women should be allowed to play by the same rules as men. I personally believe they should, because without the same rules, the game suffers. To attain gender-equity, rules must be the same. The sport may not be as intense as when men play it, but it would be similar enough to attract support. It may take time with some sports, but eventually the support should come. Because football is such a male dominated sport, it may take time for the New York Sharks, but as long as the game is the same, fans will emerge.
By
Unknown, at Sat Oct 17, 10:56:00 AM 2009
These are great comments!
Bethany, you do know that there was almost a woman NHL goalie>?
By
Anthony, at Sun Oct 18, 02:45:00 PM 2009
I think that gender plays a large role in blood sports. You rarely see a man fighting a woman because it is thought to be an advantage to the man.
I think that blood sports will always be a part of people's lives. Some people are just meant to fight. Some people are just non-violent. It all depends on your up bringing I believe. I respect any persons decision to fight if they do it fairly and not seriously. I agree with Rachel when she says that she respects any woman who decides that she wants to fight, however it is not for me at all.
By
CourtneyLeighton, at Sun Oct 18, 11:09:00 PM 2009
Women are generalized as those who take care of the home and are the caregivers. Men are generalized as the protectors. Therefore, it is more common to see men in the fighting ring or involved in blood sports. But that was then and this is now. Women are much more independent and do not have to depend on a man for protection. They are just as strong as men and shouldn't be bound by their gender to be in a rough sport. I know I would not want to be involved in a rough sport like boxing, but I would support any woman that would want to. They should have an equal chance in playing the sport as a man has.
By
Amanda Readinger, at Mon Oct 19, 05:36:00 PM 2009
Women are generalized as those who take care of the home and are the caregivers. Men are generalized as the protectors. Therefore, it is more common to see men in the fighting ring or involved in blood sports. But that was then and this is now. Women are much more independent and do not have to depend on a man for protection. They are just as strong as men and shouldn't be bound by their gender to be in a rough sport. I know I would not want to be involved in a rough sport like boxing, but I would support any woman that would want to. They should have an equal chance in playing the sport as a man has.
By
Amanda Readinger, at Mon Oct 19, 05:36:00 PM 2009
Gender issues are huge in sports. You see it and hear it everywhere. The saying "don't play like a girl" it is one gender issue in sports. To play like a girl in sports is to be bad at the sport. It is a stereotype that girls are not aggressive or good at the sport that they play. Which is completely not true. I do agree that women and men shouldn't necessarily play together or against each other. Men and women are physically build differently. But i do believe that there should be both men and women teams for every sport. Men have participated in women dominated sports so its time that women participate in men dominated sports. Men dance and do gymnastics and cheering. So women should be able to do football and wrestle. Women do have the same desire to play sports and be the best as men do. Women should have the equal opportunity to play. Women should have their own league. But if there isn't a league that is at their level then they should be allowed to try out for the men's team and not be discriminated against.
By
Amy Asher, at Tue Oct 20, 09:25:00 AM 2009
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