Sexualization Of Women In Sports Essay
Women in general are often sexualized and objectified and female athletes are no exception. Instead of focusing on their abilities and triumphs, commentators devote time to talking about their appearance. Soccer player Brandi Chastain’s removal of her jersey after winning the World Cup was a huge media sensation. Her team’s victory did not garner the majority of the media’s attention. Instead, the removal of her shirt gained the most coverage. Male commentators constantly made sexual references to a shirtless Chastain. The clip of her in her sports bra was plastered everywhere. Tennis start Anna Kournikova was sexualized and objectified for her physical appearance as well. Broadcasters often commented on her attractive body and long blonde
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al. (1993) involved a content analysis of 1989 National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four basketball games. They investigated commentary, including introductions and lead-ins, on three women’s games and three men’s games. They also looked at coverage of tennis in U.S. Open matches. The footage of both sports came from CBS and ESPN broadcasts. The researchers found a large difference in the descriptors used by commentators when talking about male and female athletes. Women were often described using words like “girls,” 10 “young ladies,” and “women.” Men were described using “men,” “young men,” and “young fellas” but were never described as “boys” (Messner et. al. 1993). This infantilization of athletes is another way in which the media marginalizes female athletes. By describing women athletes as “girls,” commentators are giving them a lower status than male athletes. The researchers found that this was more common in tennis than in basketball. They concluded that tennis is traditionally more of a feminine sport so the commentators are more likely to infantilize female athletes in this sport (Messner et. al., 1993). The study also showed differences in commentating regarding strengths and weaknesses and successes and failures. Ambivalent language is often used when describing female athletes which detracts from any descriptors of power or strength used. Examples found in the study include “big girl,” “she’s tiny, she’s small, but
al. (1993) involved a content analysis of 1989 National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four basketball games. They investigated commentary, including introductions and lead-ins, on three women’s games and three men’s games. They also looked at coverage of tennis in U.S. Open matches. The footage of both sports came from CBS and ESPN broadcasts. The researchers found a large difference in the descriptors used by commentators when talking about male and female athletes. Women were often described using words like “girls,” 10 “young ladies,” and “women.” Men were described using “men,” “young men,” and “young fellas” but were never described as “boys” (Messner et. al. 1993). This infantilization of athletes is another way in which the media marginalizes female athletes. By describing women athletes as “girls,” commentators are giving them a lower status than male athletes. The researchers found that this was more common in tennis than in basketball. They concluded that tennis is traditionally more of a feminine sport so the commentators are more likely to infantilize female athletes in this sport (Messner et. al., 1993). The study also showed differences in commentating regarding strengths and weaknesses and successes and failures. Ambivalent language is often used when describing female athletes which detracts from any descriptors of power or strength used. Examples found in the study include “big girl,” “she’s tiny, she’s small, but