Pushing the Gender Boundaries in Sports :: Expository Essays

Pushing the Gender Boundaries in SportsWhen women and men participate in sports dominated by the diametral gender there is often overwhelming objection to individuals defying the norm. Often women are the people who attempt to participate in so called non-traditional sports. But just as importantly, men are struggling against a similar resistance. An example of this is when men participate on field hockey teams dominated by women, creating positive and negatively charged implications to the game and also socially. However, individuals who make the move across gender boundaries in any sport are helping pave the way for likenity in a sector of our society that is still bound to traditional sex roles. Historically field hockey was introduced in the United States to women. However, the game that originated in europium and is played virtually all over the world is also played by men. The anomaly of only women playing field hockey is just an have a go at it in the US and has lead to t he recent controversy of men participating on all female teams from elementary school to the college level. Although title IX requires that equal opportunity for participating in sports be given to both males and females, the debate on the costs and benefits of this statute is still heated.Those who oppose men participating in field hockey claim that their presence on the field will change the nature of the womens game. The greater strength of men could make the game to a greater extent aggressive or even violent, and potentially overpower the female athletes who are participating along their side. There has been a valid and long-standing claim, stating that female club in sports provides an arena where girls and women can become empowered and gain confidence to face lifes battles. Many people see men as a threat to this repute suggesting that a mans presence on the field could intimidate the women, thereby dominating the game, and taking away a safe place for girls to grow and fi nd their ingest strengths. Another argument in opposition to men participating in field hockey, as well as other female dominated sports is align with the idea of equality. It is suggested that despite title IX, females have yet to gain gender equality and are still not given the benefits that their male counterparts receive. Therefore, male participation in the traditionally female sports would be giving men opportunities that women are still fighting for.