Rogerian Argument: Male Sports Dominate Female Sports
Ashley Suter
Coffey
WR-122
Rogerian Argument
Male Sports Dominate Female Sports
An issue that I have always been concerned with is how much attention male sports get, while female sports get pushed aside. Males and females put forth the same amount of effort and the same amount of hard work towards the sports they play, and in return males dominate the limelight. Arguments opposing this show that males are obviously better athletes than females. According to Mariah Burton Nelson, controversial activist and author, football, baseball and other manly sports in the United States are not games, but a culture which offer a pre-civil rights world where white men, as owners, coaches and umpires, still rule. In the manly sports, men learn to think about and talk about women in contempt. It is common practice for boys to be belittled as "wusses" or worse if they are not tough or brutal enough or willing to deny their own pain or the pain of others.
Any time a male environment is steeped in sexism, those attitudes eventually hurt women, whether verbally or physically. Sports have been defined as male, like physics and math and Congress. Any time women have entered a field previously dominated by men, it threatens men's self-confidence. If women can do it, what does this …show more content…
say about manliness? The argument that Nelson makes here is extremely strong an extremely accurate. Female sports have been distinctly overlooked because male sports are looked at as our past time, and culture, opposed to just a game. This automatically
provides male sports with much more signifigance and power.
Although I disagree with the opposing argument, there are certain facts that allow their point to be validated. Men are ultimately, in a sense, more intimidating and aggressive then women. Because of this, the world of sports looks towards men for a more dramatic approach to sports. Men are going to go all out on the field, make diving plays, use intimidating tactics to overthrow their apponents, and altogether act more tough then females. Society has always enjoyed something that gives then excitement, something to get them off of their feet and cheer their hearts out. Male sports have always given society that feeling of excitement, forcing them to come back for more and become a diehard fan. Why female sports cannot be considered equal to these feelings is something that puzzles me, and seems ignorant.
Overtime male sports have been given better equipment, funded more money, and given much more attention from the media. It is unfair that because they are men, and are viewed as stronger, more hardworking individuals, that they are spoiled and set on a higher petestal than females.
Because of all the attention male sports get and all of the notoriety male professional athletes are awarded, it is clear to me that male sports have casted a shadow over female sports allowing the public to overlook its excitement and potential. Baseball is everywhere. The mainstream media is packed full of merchandising opportunities that every talented athlete only dreams of. The media gives a massive a mount of attention to male sports, allowing female sports to appear not as necessary or worth wild. It is unfair, when each athlete, whether it is baseball or
softball, works extremely hard and devotes a lot of time and energy into the game, for males to be looked at more competitively. How does that teach each individual female athlete the tools to create athletic goals in life and adjust around the talent they have for the game.
In order for both sides to reach any sort of middle ground, female sports will have to realize how men have created a reputation for being tough, mean, and aggressive; allowing them to dominate in every sport they play. Male sports will also have to admit to the fact that their dominance has pushed female athletes success aside. Giving females more of a chance in the sports world, providing them with positive media influence, and giving them back their confidence will help female sports revive. Males and females need to learn how to come together in order to achieve equal opportunities for our future.
CBS, "Bnet". CBS Business Network. 5/5/10 <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4207/is_19950210/ai_n10184610/>. "Men's Heath". 5/4/10 <http://www.menshealth.com/men/fitness/workout-plans/sports-training/article/19ba8d7f20dda010VgnVCM200000cee793cd>.
Coffey
WR-122
Rogerian Argument
Male Sports Dominate Female Sports
An issue that I have always been concerned with is how much attention male sports get, while female sports get pushed aside. Males and females put forth the same amount of effort and the same amount of hard work towards the sports they play, and in return males dominate the limelight. Arguments opposing this show that males are obviously better athletes than females. According to Mariah Burton Nelson, controversial activist and author, football, baseball and other manly sports in the United States are not games, but a culture which offer a pre-civil rights world where white men, as owners, coaches and umpires, still rule. In the manly sports, men learn to think about and talk about women in contempt. It is common practice for boys to be belittled as "wusses" or worse if they are not tough or brutal enough or willing to deny their own pain or the pain of others.
Any time a male environment is steeped in sexism, those attitudes eventually hurt women, whether verbally or physically. Sports have been defined as male, like physics and math and Congress. Any time women have entered a field previously dominated by men, it threatens men's self-confidence. If women can do it, what does this …show more content…
say about manliness? The argument that Nelson makes here is extremely strong an extremely accurate. Female sports have been distinctly overlooked because male sports are looked at as our past time, and culture, opposed to just a game. This automatically
provides male sports with much more signifigance and power.
Although I disagree with the opposing argument, there are certain facts that allow their point to be validated. Men are ultimately, in a sense, more intimidating and aggressive then women. Because of this, the world of sports looks towards men for a more dramatic approach to sports. Men are going to go all out on the field, make diving plays, use intimidating tactics to overthrow their apponents, and altogether act more tough then females. Society has always enjoyed something that gives then excitement, something to get them off of their feet and cheer their hearts out. Male sports have always given society that feeling of excitement, forcing them to come back for more and become a diehard fan. Why female sports cannot be considered equal to these feelings is something that puzzles me, and seems ignorant.
Overtime male sports have been given better equipment, funded more money, and given much more attention from the media. It is unfair that because they are men, and are viewed as stronger, more hardworking individuals, that they are spoiled and set on a higher petestal than females.
Because of all the attention male sports get and all of the notoriety male professional athletes are awarded, it is clear to me that male sports have casted a shadow over female sports allowing the public to overlook its excitement and potential. Baseball is everywhere. The mainstream media is packed full of merchandising opportunities that every talented athlete only dreams of. The media gives a massive a mount of attention to male sports, allowing female sports to appear not as necessary or worth wild. It is unfair, when each athlete, whether it is baseball or
softball, works extremely hard and devotes a lot of time and energy into the game, for males to be looked at more competitively. How does that teach each individual female athlete the tools to create athletic goals in life and adjust around the talent they have for the game.
In order for both sides to reach any sort of middle ground, female sports will have to realize how men have created a reputation for being tough, mean, and aggressive; allowing them to dominate in every sport they play. Male sports will also have to admit to the fact that their dominance has pushed female athletes success aside. Giving females more of a chance in the sports world, providing them with positive media influence, and giving them back their confidence will help female sports revive. Males and females need to learn how to come together in order to achieve equal opportunities for our future.
CBS, "Bnet". CBS Business Network. 5/5/10 <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4207/is_19950210/ai_n10184610/>. "Men's Heath". 5/4/10 <http://www.menshealth.com/men/fitness/workout-plans/sports-training/article/19ba8d7f20dda010VgnVCM200000cee793cd>.