It is no secret that I’m a huge fan of soccer; whether I’m playing, watching, or discussing it. I follow the updates of both the women and men’s US national teams and watch games whenever they are on TV. Because of my fondness for the sport I am constantly hearing about what is happening with each team and through the international soccer field. Just a few days ago were the FIFA Ballon D’Or awards in Zurich. Two US women players (Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach) were nominated for female Player of the Year, and Wambach won. Pia Sundhage, the US women’s head coach who just recently stepped down from her position received Coach of the Year (for female teams). The US men’s national team received no nominations at this ceremony. I found this to be very interesting due to the fact that many Americans believe that men excel in sports over women and that they are more successful in athletics. Though it is true that there is no professional women’s football league or baseball team to my knowledge, it was refreshing to see the sport of soccer, one of the most popular sports in the world to one that women dominated over men in the United States. Sports are a huge part of American society. Millions of children play sports, many from a young age and while talking to them over break, I found my younger cousins to be balancing two or even three sports at a time. The USMNT (US men’s national team) has won 1 World Cup and placed 3rd in another. They are ranked #28 in the world. The USWNT (US women’s national team) has placed in every World Cup they have played in (total of 6, since its start in 1991) and won 2 of them. The team is ranked #1 in the world.
It is interesting to see that within a country that has a great deal of sexism in the sports world, in soccer, which is arguably the most global sport in the world, women dominate. These expectations are slowly changing however. It is no longer unusual for girls to be athletic and able to compete with their male counterparts, though I have even seen this change as I have grown up. Why do we expect men to fall under the category of what society considers “manly” so perfectly? Shouldn’t it be okay that women play sports, wear shorts and a t-shirt instead of a dress and get muddy at practice, yet still be more successful at it? I think that we are finally starting to accept that and even admire it which is one thing that definitely changing for the better.
I really liked this post, to be completely honest! I think that you tackled the complex yet interesting subject of sexism accurately. I usually think of sexism in more social ways -- I never thought it would be as prevalent in sports. However, looking back on my old sports teams and comparing them to my brothers teams, there is definitely a huge prevalence of sexism in sports. I really loved the breakdown of how you noticed the issue and addressed it accordingly. I also really like the examples you used -- they were really plentiful! Overall, I really like this blog, and I look forward to reading more!
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