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Women in Sport: Gender Stereotypes in the Past and Present Kristin Wilde Introduction Society expects males and females to adopt, believe in, and fulfill specific gender roles and stereotypes that have been established. In the western world, males are expected to be strong, independent, and athletic, whereas females are expected to be quiet, obedient, attractive nurturers. Society demands compliance to the enforced gender order. When these gender norms are violated, it is common for labels to be given (i.e. lesbian), questions to be asked (“Are you sure that is not a boy in the net?”), and people to be ridiculed (“a girl playing football – what a butch”). While “traditional” gender stereotypes have remained fairly constant over the past few centuries, they have also been challenged and confronted by many women and feminists. One specific area in which traditional gender stereotypes have been evaluated and analyzed, is sports and physical activities. Comparing traditional female gender stereotypes with those of the 21st century women in sports, it is clear that female athletes are beginning to establish themselves in the sports world. Their ability to challenge sexist barriers and restrictive notions about women's physical appearance, athletic ability, and participation in sports, is evident through their increased involvement in sports. However, it is also true that traditional female stereotypes continue to prevail. In this paper, female athletic stereotypes, women’s sensitivity to gender issues in sports, recommendations for increasing female participation in sports, and personal experiences with gender and 2 sports, will be presented and discussed in relation to the impact female gender stereotypes have on girls and women who participate in traditional and non-traditional sports. Traditional Female Stereotypes People are bombarded with gender stereotypes from birth until death. Once a new baby’s sex is revealed, they are dressed in either blue or pink,...
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